THE LAND OF EDEN. 107 



company, who had i)rocured some pieces of copper ore from Cargil's mine, 

 which seemed full of metal. This mine lies about twelve miles higiier tiian 

 major Mumford's plantation, and has a better show than any yet discovered. 

 There are so many appearances of copper in these parts, that the inhabitants 

 seem to be all mine-mad, and neglect making of corn for their present neces- 

 sities, in hopes of growing very rich hereafter. 



19th. The heavens lowered a little upon us in the morning, but, like a 

 damsel ruffled by too bold an address, it soon cleared up again. Because I 

 detested idleness, I caused my overseer to paddle me up the river as far as 

 the strait that divides Occaneeche from Totero island, which is about 

 twenty yards wide. There runs a swift stream continually out of the south 

 part of the river into the north, and is in some places very deep. We crossed 

 the south part to the opposite shore, to view another entry I had made, be- 

 ginning at Bufilalo creek and running up the river to guard my islands, and 

 keep off bad neighbours on that side. The land seems good enough for corn 

 along the river, but a quarter of a mile back it is broken, and full of stones. 

 After satisfying my curiosity, I returned the way that I came, and shot the 

 same strait back again, and paddled down the river to the company. 

 When we got home, we laid the foundation of two large cities. One at 

 Shacco's, to be called Richmond, and the other at the point of Appomattox 

 river, to be named Petersburg. These major Mayo offered to lay out into 

 lots without fee or reward. The truth of it is, these two places being the 

 uppermost landing of James and Appomattox rivers, are naturally intended 

 for marts, where the traffic of the outer inhabitants must centre. Thus we did 

 not build castles only, but also cities in the air. In the evening our ammunition 

 arrived safe, and the Indians came to us, resolved to make part of our com- 

 pany, upon condition of their being supplied with powder and shot, and 

 having the skins of all the deer they killed to their own proper use. 



20th. Every thing being • ready for a march, we left Blue Stone Castle 

 about ten. My company consisted of four gentlemen (namely, major Mayo, 

 major Mumford, Mr. Banister and Mr. Jones,) and five woodsmen, Thomas 

 Wilson, Henry Morris, Joseph Colson, Robert Boiling and Thomas Hooper, 

 four negroes and three Tuscaruda Indians. With this small troop we pro- 

 ceeded up the river as far as Hogen's, above which, about a quarter of a 

 mile, we forded into the little island, and from thence into the fork of the 

 river. The water was risen so high, that it ran into the top of my boots, 

 but without giving me any cold, although I rode in my wet stockings. We 

 landed three miles above the point of the fork, and, after marching three miles 

 farther, reached the tenement of Peter Mitchell, the highest inhabitant on 

 Roanoke river. Two miles above that we forded a water, which we named 

 Birche's creek, not far from the mouth, where it discharges itself into the 

 Dan. From thence we rode through charming low-grounds, for six miles 

 together, to a larger stream, which we agreed to call Banister river. We 

 were puzzled to find a ford by reason the water was very high, but at last 

 got safe over, about one and a half miles from the banks of the Dan. In our 

 way we killed two very large rattle-snakes, one of fifteen and the other of 

 twelve rattles. They were both fat, but nobody would be persuaded to car- 

 ry them to our quarters, although they would have added much to the 

 luxury of our supper. We pitched our tents upon Banister river, where we 

 feasted on a young buck which had the ill luck to cross our way. It rained 

 great part of the night, with very loud thunder, which- rumbled frightfully 

 amongst the tall trees that surrounded us in that low ground, but, thank God ! 

 without any damage. Our Indians killed three deer, but were so lazy they 

 brought them not to tlie camp, pretending for their excuse that they were 

 too lean. 



