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We often difpatch negroes to the dlftant 

 plantations upon the coaft, or the borders of 

 the river, in fearch of fowls, ducks, roafting 

 pigs, or any other frefh provifions ; but the j 

 fo commonly return empty handed, that we 

 have been led to fufpeft them of idlenefs or 

 negled, and have been induced to make the 

 experiment ourfelves, by going in a boat to 

 different eflates up the river, with a view of 

 purchafing poultry or other flock. But v we 

 have been equally unfuccefsful ; fometimes 

 failing altogether, and at others procuring only 

 a fingle chicken, or a roafting pig to ferve a 

 mefs of fix perfons for the week. It hap- 

 pened one week that we met with a whole 

 litter of 4 young roafters to the number of fix 3 

 when we thought ourfelves in high good for- 

 tune ; but as we had no convenient means of 

 keeping them fat or in condition, we were 

 unable to economize the ufe of them, and 

 from eating pig, pig, pig, every day till they 

 were all confumed, together with the accident 

 of our black and ftupid cook, oecafionally 

 leaving a little favoury fluffing within, we 

 were not only in danger of growing into 

 porkers ourfelves, but became fo entirely fati- 

 ated with pig as to make it extremely doubt- 



