4lS TRAVELS IN 
C H A P. VII. 
The next day after my return to Mobile, I 
found myfelf very ill, and not a little alarmed by 
an exceffive pain in my head, attended with a high 
fever ; this diforder foon fettled in my eyes, nature 
purfuing that way to expel the malady, caufmg a 
moft painful defluxion of pellucid, corrofive water ; 
notwithstanding, I next day fet off on board a large 
trading boat, the property of a French gentleman, 
and commanded by him (he being general interpre- 
ter for the Chactaw nation), on his return to his 
plantations, on the banks of Pearl river : our bark 
was large, well equipped for failing, and manned 
with three flout Negroes, to row in cafe of necef- 
fity. We embarked in the evening, and came to 
about fix miles below the town, at a pleafant farm, 
the matter of which (who was a Frenchman) enter- 
tained us in a very polite and friendly manner. 
The wind favourable, next morning early we fet 
fail again, and having made extraordinary way, 
about noon came up abreaft of a high fteep bluif, 
or perpendicular cliff of high land, touching on 
the bay of the Weft coaft, where we went on more, 
to give liberty to the Haves to reft and refrefh 
themfelves. In the mean time I accompanied the 
captain on an excurfion into the fpacious level 
forefts, which fpread abroad from the fhore to a 
great diftance back ; obferved veftiges of an an- 
cient fortrefs and fettlement, and there yet remain 
a few pieces of iron cannon ; but what principally 
attracted my notice, was three vaft iron pots or ket- 
tles, each of many hundred gallons contents : upon 
inquiry^ 
