l82 
TRAVELS IN 
diflance from us. Continuing eight or nine miles 
through this fublime foreft, we entered on an open 
foreft of lofty pines and oaks, on gently fwelling 
fand hills, and prefently faw the lake, its waters 
fparkling through the open groves. Near the path 
was a large artificial mound of earth, on a moli 
charming, high fituation, fuppofed to be the work 
of the ancient Floridans or Yamafees ; with other 
traces of an Indian town. Here were three or four 
Indian habitations ; the women and children faluted 
us with cheerfulnefs and complaifance. After riding 
near a mile farther, we arrived at Cufcowilla, near 
the banks : a pretty brook of water ran through the 
town, and entered the lake juft by. 
We were welcomed to the town, and conducted 
by the young men and maidens to the chiefs houfe, 
which flood on an eminence, and was diftinguifhed 
from the reft by its fuperior magnitude, a large flag ■■ 
being hoifted on a high ftaff at one corner. We 
immediately alighted : the chief, who is called the 
Cowkeeper, attended by feveral ancient men, came 
to us, and in a very free and fociable manner, {hook 
our hands, or rather arms, (a form of falutation pe- 
culiar to the American Indians) faying at the fame 
time, " You are come." We followed him to 
an apartment prepared for the reception of thek 
guefts. 
The pipe being filled, it is handed around ; after 
which a large bowl, with what they call, " thin 
drink,'' is brought in and fet down on a fmall low- 
table. In this bowl is a great wooden ladle ; each 
perfon takes up in it as much as he pleafes, and after 
drinking until fatisfied, returns it again into the 
bowl, pufhing the handle towards the next perfon in 
the circle 5 and lo it goes round. 
After 
