46 OF NORTH CAROLINA. 



Those tliat were left at home, which are common- 

 ly old people and children, had heard no news a 

 long time of their men at arms. This man, at 

 the entreaty of these people, (being h^eld to be a 

 great sorcerer amongst them,) went to know what 

 posture their fighting men were in. His exorcism 

 was carried on thus : He dressed himself in a clean 

 white dressed deer skin, a great fire being made 

 in the middle of the plantation, the Indians sit- 

 ting all around it, the conjuror was blindfold- 

 ed, then he surrounded the fire several times 

 I think thrice — leaving the company he went into 

 the woods, where he stayed about half an hour, 

 returning to them surrounded the fire as before ; 

 leaving them, went the second time into the 

 woods ; at which time there came a huge swarm 

 of files, very large, they fiying about the fire sev- 

 eral times, at last fell all into it, and were visibly 

 consumed. Immediately after the Indian conju- 

 ror made a huge lilleloo, and howling very fright- 

 fully. Presently an Indian went and caught hold 

 of him, leading him to the fire. The old wizzard 

 was so feeble and weak, being not able to stand 

 alone, and all over in a sweat, and as wet as if he 

 had fallen into the river ; after some time he re- 

 covered his strength, assuring them that their 

 men wer near a river aad could not pass over it 

 till so many days, but would, in such a time, re- 

 turn all in safety to ther nation — all Avliich prov- 

 ed true at the Indians' return, whielfwas not long 



