THE DIVIDING LINE. 19 



where the line ended. Every thing looked so very clean, and tlie furniture 

 so neat, that we were tempted to lodge within doors. But the novelty of 

 being shut up so close quite spoiled our rest, nor did we breathe so free by 

 abundance, as when we lay in the open air. 



I4th. Before nine of the clock this morning, the provisions, bedding and 

 other necessaries, were made up into packs for the men to carry on tJieir 

 shoulders into the Dismal. They were victualled for eight days at full allow- 

 ance, nobody doubting but that would be abundantly sufficient to carry them 

 through that inhospitable place ; nor indeed was it possible for the poor fel- 

 lows to stagger under more. As it was, their loads weighed from 60 to 70 

 pounds, in just proportion to the strength of those who w'ere to bear them. 

 It would have been unconscionable to have saddled them with burthens 

 heavier than that, when they were to lug them through a filthy bog, which 

 was hardly practicable with no burthen at all. Besides this luggage at their 

 backs, they were obliged to measure the distance, inark the trees, and clear 

 the way for the surveyors every step they went. It was really a pleasure to 

 see with how much cheerfulness they undertook, and with how much spirit 

 they went through all this drudgery. For their greater safety, the commis- 

 sioners took care to furnish them with Peruvian bark, rhubarb and hipocoa- 

 canah, in case they might happen, in that wet journey, to be taken with fevers 

 or fluxes. Although there was no need of example to inflame persons al- 

 ready so cheerful, yet to enter the people with the better grace, the author 

 and two more of the commissioners accompanied them half a mile into the 

 Dismal. The skirts of it were thinly planted with dwarf reeds and gall 

 bushes, but when we got into the Dismal itself, we found the reeds grew there 

 much taller and closer, and, to mend the matter, were so interlaced with 

 bamboo-briers, that there was no scuffling through them without the help of 

 pioneers. At the same time, we found the ground moist and trembling under 

 our feet like a quagmire, insomuch that it was an easy matter to run a ten- 

 foot pole up to the head in it, without exerting any uncommon strength to do 

 it. Two of the men, whose burthens were the least cumbersome, had orders 

 to march before, with their tomahawks, and clear the way, in order to make 

 an opening for the surveyors. By their assistance we made a shift to push 

 the line half a mile in three hours, and tlien reached a small piece of firm 

 land, about 100 yards wide, standing up above the rest like an island. Here 

 the people were glad to lay down their loads and take a little refreshment, 

 while the happy man, whose lot it was to carry the jug of rum, began alrea- 

 dy, like .<3ilsop's bread-carriers, to find it grow a good deal lighter. 



After reposing about an hour, the commissioners recommended vigour and 

 constancy to their fellow-travellers, by whom they were answered with three 

 cheerful huzzas, in token of obedience. This ceremony was no sooner over 

 but they took up their burthens and attended the motion of the surveyors, 

 who, though they worked with all their might, could reach but one mile far- 

 ther, the same obstacles still attending them which they had met with in the 

 morning. However small this distance may seem to such as are used to 

 travel at their ease, yet our poor men, who were obliged to work with an 

 unwieldy load at their backs, had reason to think it a long way ; especially 

 in a bog where they had no firm footing, but every step made a deep impres- 

 sion, which was instantly filled with water. At the same time they were 

 labouring with their hands to cut down the reeds, which were ten feet high, 

 their legs were hampered with the briers. Besides, the weather happened to 

 be warm, and the tallness of the reeds kept off every friendly breeze from 

 coming to refresh them. And, indeed, it was a little provoking to hear the 

 wind whistling among the branches of the white cedars, which grew here 

 and thei-e amongst the reeds, and at the same time not to have the comfort to 

 feel the least breath of i(. 



