48 



THE HISTORY OF 



heavy complaints, that they liad been half starved, like Tantalus, in the midst 

 of plenty, for the reason above mentioned. 



The soil we past over this day was generally very good, being clothed 

 with large ti'ees, of poplar, hickory and oak. But another certain token of 

 its fertility was, that wild angelica grew plentifully upon it. The root of 

 this plant, being very warm and aromatic, is coveted by woodsmen extreme- 

 ly as a dry dram, that is, when rum, that cordial for all distresses, is wanting. 

 Several deer came into our view as we marched along, but none into the pot, 

 which made it necessary for us to sup on the fragments we had been so 

 provident as to carry along with us. This being but a temperate repast, 

 made some of our hungry fellows call the place we lodged at that night, 

 Bread and Water Camp. 



A great flock of cranes flew over our quarters, that were exceeding clamo- 

 rous in their flight. They- seem to steer their course towards the south (be- 

 ing birds of passage) in quest of warmer weatheir. They only took this 

 country in their way, being as rarely met with, in this part of the world, as a 

 highwayman or a beggar. These birds travel generally in flocks, and when 

 they roost they place sentinels upon some of the highest trees, which con- 

 stantly stand upon one leg to keep themselves waking.* 



Our Indian killed nothing all day but a mountain partridge, which a little 

 resembled the common partridge in the plumage, but was near as large as a 

 dunghill hen. These are very frequent towards the mountains, though we 

 had the fortune to meet with very few. They are apt to be shy, and conse- 

 quently the noise of so great a number of people might easily scare them 

 away from our sight. We found what we conceived to be good limestone 

 in several places, and a great quantity of blue slate. 



10th. The day began very fortunately by killing a fat doe, and two brace 

 of wild turkeys ; so the plenty of the morning made amends for the short 

 commons over night. One of the new men we brought out with us the last 

 time was unfortunately heard to wish himself at home, and for that show of 

 impatience was publicly reprimanded at the head of the men, who were all 

 drawn up to v/itness his disgrace. He was asked how he came so soon to 

 be tired of the company of so many brave fellows, and whether it was the 

 danger or the fatigue of the journey that disheartened him ? This public re- 

 proof from thenceforward put an effectual stop to all complaints, and not a 

 man amongst us after that pretended so much as to wish himself in Paradise. 

 A small distance from our camp we crossed a pleasant stream of water 

 called Cocquade creek, and something more than a mile from thence our line 

 intersected the south branch of Roanoke river the first time, which we called 

 the Dan. It was about two hundred yards wide where we forded it, and 

 when we came over to the west side, we found the banks lined with a forest 

 of tall canes, that grew more than a furlong in depth. So that it cost us 

 abundance of time and labour to cut a passage through them wide enough 

 for our baggage. In the mean time we had leisure to take a full view of this 

 charming river. The str_eam, which v/as perfectly clear, ran down about 



* Nor are these birds the only animals that appoint scouts to keep the main body from 

 being surprised. For the baboons, whenever they go upon any mischievous expedition, 

 sucn as robbing an orchard, place sentinels to look out towards every point of the 

 compass, and give notice of any danger. Then ranking themselves in one file, that reaches 

 from the mountain where they harbour, to the orchard they intend to rob, some of them 

 toss the hulls from the trees to those that stand nearest, these throw them to the next, 

 and so from one to the other, fill the fruit is all secured in a few minutes out of harm's 

 way. In the mean time, if any of the scouts should be careless at their posts, and suffer 

 any surprise, they are torn to pieces witliout mercy. In case of danger these sentinels 

 set up a fearful cry, upon which tiie resl take the alarm, and scour away to the moun- 

 tains as fast as they can. 



