44* 
TRAVELS IN 
chance of keeping up with them until the evening 
of next day ; befides I had the comfort of obferving 
that the traders and pack-horfemen carried them- 
felves towards me with evident figns of humanity 
and friendfhip, often exprefling fend men ts of fym- 
pathy, and faying I mult not be left alone to perifh 
in the wildernefs. 
Although my apprehenfions on this occafion 
Were fomewhat tumultuous, iince there was little 
hope, on the principle of reafon, mould I be left 
alone, of efcaping cruel captivity, and perhaps 
being murdered by the Chaclaws (for the com- 
pany of traders was my only fecurity, as the 
Indians never attack the traders on the road, though 
they be trading with nations at enmity with them) 
yet I had fecret hopes of relief and deliverance, that 
cheered me, and infpired confidence and peace of 
mind. 
Now I am come within the atmofphere of the 
Illicium groves, how reanimating is the fra- 
grance! every part of this plant above ground 
pofiefies an aromatic fcent, but the large {filiated 
pericarpe is the mo ft fragrant part of it, which 
continually perfpires an oleagenous fweat, as 
warm and vivirTc as cloves or mace. I never faw 
it grow naturally further North than Lat. 33 0 , 
oh. the Mobile river and its branches, and but 
one place in Eafl Florida near Lake George, 
Lat. 28 °. 
About the middle of the afternoon, we were 
joyfully furprifed at the diftant profpecl of the 
trading company coming up, and we foon met, 
faluting each other feveral times with a general 
Indian whoop, or iTiout of friendlhip; then each 
Company came to camp within a few paces of 
