50 OF NORTH CAROLINA. 



out of the rocks, which water we drank of, it col- 

 oring the excrements of travelers, by its chalybe- 

 ate quality, as black as a coal. 



When we were all asleep in the beginning of 

 the night, we were awakened with the dismalist 

 and most hideous noise that ever pierced my ears. 

 This sudden surprisal incapacitated us of guess- 

 ing what this threatening noise might proceed 

 from : but our Indian pilot, who knew these parts 

 very well, acquainted us, that it was customary 

 to hear such music along that swamp side, there 

 being endless number of panthers, tigers, wolves 

 and other beast of prey, which take this swamp 

 for their abode ia the day, coming in whole droves 

 to hunt the deer in the night, making this fright- 

 ful ditty till day appears, then all is still as in oth- 

 er places. 



The next day it proved a small drisly rain, 

 which is rare, there happening not the tenth part 

 of foggy falling weather towards these mountains 

 as visits those parts near the sea board. The In- 

 dian killed fifteen turkeys this day, there coming 

 out of the swamp, about sun rising, flocks of 

 these fowl, containing several hundred in a gang, 

 who feed upon the acorns, it being most oak that 

 grow in these woods. There are but very few pines 

 in those quarters. 



Early the next morning, we set forward for the 

 Congeree Indians parting with that delicious 

 prospect. By the way, our guide killed more tur- 

 keys and two polecats, which he eat, esteeming 



