Travels Through North America 



months, and I received so many instances of friend- 

 ship and good-nature, that not to acknowledge them 

 would be an act of ingratitude. It would not be 

 easy to mention particular instances, without being 

 guilty of injustice by omitting others: but, in general, 

 I can truly affirm, that I took leave of this hospitable 

 people with regret, and shall ever remember them 

 with gratitude and affection. 



May 26, 1760. Having procured three horses, 

 for myself, servant, and baggage, I departed from 

 Williamsburg, and travelled that night to Eltham;* 

 twenty-five miles. 



May 27. I ferried over Pamunky river at Dan- 

 sies, and went to Todd's ordinary upon Mattopony, 

 or the northern branch of York river; thirty-two 

 miles. 



May 28. I went to a plantation in Caroline 

 county;f twenty-seven miles. 



May 29. To Fredericksburg; twenty-five miles. 



As I was travelling this day, I observed a large 

 black-snake, about six feet long, lying cross the stump 

 of a tree by the road side. I touched it with my 

 switch several times before it stirred; at last it darted 

 with incredible swiftness into the woods. On look- 

 ing into the hole, where it had fixed its head, I 

 observed a small bead-snakeabouttwofeetlong; beau- 

 tifully variegated with red, black, and orange colour, 



* The plantation of Col. Bassett. 



f Belonging to Col. Bailor, mentioned above. 



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