lawson's history 31 



in the road from Charlestown and the rest of the 

 English settlement, it being a very good way by 

 land, and not above thirty-six miles, although 

 more than one hundred by water ; and I think 

 the most difficult way I ever saw, occasioned by 

 reason of the multitude of creeks lying along the 

 main, keeping their courses through the marshes, 

 turning and winding like a labyrinth, having the 

 tide of ebb and flood twenty times in less than 

 three leagues going. The next morning very 

 early we li^rried over a creek that runs near the 

 house ; and after an hour's travel in the woods, 

 we came to the river side, where we staid for 

 the Indians who was our guide, and was gone 

 round by water in a small canoe to meet us at 

 that place we rested at. They came after a small 

 time, and ferried us in that little vessel over Santee 

 river, four miles and eighty-four miles in the 

 woods, which the overflowing of the freshes, 

 which then came down, had made a perfect sea 

 of, there running an incredible current in the riv- 

 er, which had cast our small craft and us away, 

 had we not had this Sewee Indian with us ; who 

 are excellent artists in managing these small ca- 

 noes. Santee river at this time, (from the usual 

 depth of water,) was risen perpendicular thirty-six 

 feet, always making a breach from her banks 

 about this season of the year. The general opin- 

 ion of the cause thereof, is supposed to proceed 

 from the overflowing of fresh water lakes that lie 

 near the head of this river and others upon the 



