NORTH AMERICA* 
and for which I paid three guineas, departed for St. 
Auguftine, which is on the fea-coaft, about fortyw 
five miles over land- 
It was now about the middle of April. Vegeta- 
tion appearing every where in high progrefs, I was 
anxious to be advancing foutherly ; and having at 
this plantation ftored myfelf with necerlaries for 
my voyage, I failed in the mornings with a fair 
wind. I was now again alone, for the young man, 
my fellow traveller, though ftouter and heartier 
than myfelf, having repented of his promife to ac- 
company me to the Indian trading houfes, I fup- 
pofe not relifhing the hardfhips and dangers, which 
might perhaps befal us, chofe rather to flay behind, 
amongfl: the fettlements. His leaving me, however, 
I did not greatly regret, as I could not confider it 
a difappointment much to my difadvantage at the 
moment. Our views were probably totally oppo- 
fite ; he, a young mechanic on his adventures, feemed 
to be actuated by no other motives, than either to 
eftablifh himfelf in fome well inhabited part of the 
country, where, by following his occupation, he 
might be enabled to procure, without much toil and 
danger, the neceffaries and conveniencies of life ; 
or by induftry and frugality, perhaps eflablim his 
fortune. Whift I, continually impelled by a reft- 
lefs fpirit of curiofity, in purfait of new produc- 
tions of nature, my chief happineis confided in trac- 
ing and admiring the infinite power, majefty, and 
perfection of the great Almighty Creator, and in 
the contemplation, that through divine aid and per- 
milTion, I might be instrumental in difcovering, and 
Introducing into my native country, fome original 
productions of nature, which might become ufeful 
to 
