37d 



protected us from the fun, but alfo, by means 

 of a door and windows* enclofed us as it were 

 in a cabin. Sufficient intelligence could not 

 be collected to enable us to fix either the limits 

 of our excurfion, or the period of our return. 

 We had, therefore, no fettled route, and our 

 movements were to be forward or retrograde,, 

 as we found that pleafure or difcomfon at- 

 tended our path. It was completely a maroon- 

 ing or rambling adventure. Placed at the 

 difpofal of the blind goddefs, we referved to 

 ourfelves only the power of retreating, in cafe 

 fhe fhould ufe us unkindly. Where to find 

 food, or where take reft depended entirely 

 upon chance. Every planter, and every eftate 

 were alike unknown to us : but we knew that 

 there were plantations, and places of abode, 

 upon the borders of the river : we knew, alfo, 

 that in all civilized countries, where flrangers 

 are but feldom feen, hofpitality is a prevailing 

 charaderiftic of the inhabitants ; we, therefore, 

 became intruders upon the good-will of the 

 colonifts, refolving to feek a home wherefoever 

 our convenience fhould point, and to regulate 

 our journey by the information we fhould 

 acquire, and the treatment we might experi- 

 ence. If the excurfion' fliould turn out 



3 



