NORTH AMERICA. 
359 
After parting with my late companion, I went 
forward with ail the alacrity that prudence would 
admit of, that I might as foon as poflible fee the 
end of my toil and hazard, being determined at all 
events to crofs the Jore mountain, faid to be the 
^higheft land in the Cherokee country. 
After a gentle defcent, I entered on an extremely 
flony narrow vale, through which coafted fwiftly 3 
large creek, twelve or fifteen yards wide, roaring 
over a rocky bed, which I crolfed with difficulty and 
danger, the ford being incommoded by (helving 
rocks, full of holes and cliffs. After leaving this 
rocky creek, my path led me upon another narrow 
vale or glade, down which came in great hafte 
another noify brook, which I repeatedly croffed and 
recroffed, fometimes riding on narrow level graiTy 
verges clofe to its banks ; hull afcending the vale 
gradually terminated, being (hut up by llupendous 
rocky hills on each fide, leaving a very narrow gap 
or defile, towards which my road led me, afcend- 
ing ,the deep (ides of the mountains ; when, after 
rifing feveral wearifome afcents, and finding myfelf 
over-heated and tired, 1 halted at a little graffy 
lawn through which meandered a fweet rivulet. 
Here I turned my horfe to graze, and fat down to 
reft on a green bank juft beneath a high frowning 
promontory, or obtufe point of a ridge of the moun- 
tain yet above me, the friendly rivulet making a 
circuit by my feet 5 and now a little refted, I took 
out of my wallet fome bifcuit and cheefe, and a 
piece of neat's tongue, compofmg myfelf to eafe 
and refreihment : when fuddenly appeared within a 
few yards, advancing towards me from behind the 
point, a flout likely young Indian fellow, armed 
wi^h a rifle gun, and two dogs attending. Upon 
fight 
