THE DlVIDJNCi LINF. ■ 75 



it was pretty clear of underwood. We avoided crossing tlie Dan twico by 

 taking a compass round the bend of it. Tiiere was no passing by the angle 

 of the river without halting a moment to entertain our eyes again with that 

 charming prospect. When that pleasure was over we proceeded to Sable 

 creek, and encamped a little to the cast of it. The river thereabouts had a 

 charming effect, its banks being adorned with green canes, sixteen feet high, 

 which make a spring all the year, as well as plenty of forage all the winter-. 

 One of the men wounded an old buck, that was gray with years, and seemed 

 by the reverend marks he bore upon him, to confinn the current opinion of 

 that animal's longevity. The smart of his wounds made him not only turn 

 upon the dogs, but likewise pursue them to some distance with great fury. 

 However he got away at last, though by the blood that issued from his wound 

 he could not run far before he fell, and without doubt made a comfortable 

 repast for the wolves. However the Indian had better fortune, and supplied 

 us with a fat doe, and a young bear two years old. At that age they are in 

 their prime, and, if they be fat withal, they are a morsel for a cardinal. 



All the land we travelled over this day, and the day before, that is to say 

 from the river Irvin to Sable creek, is exceedingly rich, both on the Virginia 

 side of the line, and that of Carolina. Besides whole forests of canes, that 

 adorn the banks of the river and creeks threabouts, the fertility of the soil 

 throws out such a quantity of winter grass, that horses and cattle might 

 keep themselves in heart all the cold season without the help of any fodder. 

 Nor have the low grounds only this advantage, but likewise the higher land, 

 and particularly that which we call the Highland Pond, which is two miles 

 broad, and of a length unknown. 



I question not but there are thirty thousand acres at least, lying altogether, 

 as fertile as the lands were said to be about Babylon, which yielded, if 

 Herodotus tells us right, an increase of no less than two or three hundred for 

 one. But this hath the advantage of being a higher, and consequently a 

 much healthier, situation than that. So that a colony of one thousand families 

 might, with the help of moderate industry, pass their time very happily there. 

 Besides grazing and tillage, which would abundantly compensate their labour, 

 they might plant vineyards upon the hills, in which situation the richest wines 

 are always produced. They might also propagate white mulberry trees, 

 which thrive exceedingly in this climate, in order to the feeding of silk- worms, 

 and making of raw silk. They might too produce hemp, flax and cotton, 

 in what quantity they pleased, not only for their own use, but likewise for sale. 

 Then they might raise very plentiflil orchards, of both peaches and apples, 

 which contribute as much as any fruit to the luxury of life. There is no soil 

 or climate will yield better rice than this, which is a grain of prodigious in- 

 crease, and of very wholesome nourishment. In short every thing will gi'ow 

 plentifully here to supply either the wants or wantonness of man. Nor can 

 I so much as wish that the more tender vegetables might grow here, such as 

 orange, lemon, and olive trees, because then we should lose the much greater 

 benefit of the brisk north-west winds, which purge the air, and sweep away 

 all the" malignant fevers, which hover over countries that are always warm. 

 The soil would also want the advantages of frost, and snow, which by their 

 nitrous particles contribute not a little to its fertility. Besides the inhabitants 

 would be deprived of the variety and sweet vicissitude of the season, which 

 is much more delightful than one dull and constant succession of warm 

 weather, diversified only by rain and sunshine. There is also another con- 

 venience, that happens to this country by cold weather — it destroys a great 

 number of snakes, and other venomous reptiles, and troublesome insects, or 

 at least lays them to sleep for several months, which otherwise would annoy 

 us the whole year round, and multiply beyond all enduring. Though oranges 



