384 TRAVELS IN 
deftroy, or at leaft to conceal, its noxious and 
difagreeable qualities. 
The beauties of the fpot, and the abundance 
of every neceffary which the Buffalo River 
procured us, were not the only motives that 
induced us to remain fo long on its banks. I 
continued here till the 14th of the month, em- 
ployed only in repairing my carriages, the 
ruined condition of which had for a long time 
given me great uneafmefs. They were fo 
much fhattered, and the fun had fo dried 
them, that they were ready to fall to pieces ; 
it was neceffary above all to renew the wheels, 
as all the fpokes were loofe in the naves. I or- 
dered them to be put into water to make the 
wood fwell ; and they remained there a long 
time before they received any affiftance from 
the hatchet. As for my part, I reviewed my 
collection, which was far from being in pro- 
per order ; and this bufmefs was a work of no 
little labour. Every thing almoft that I had 
contained birds : my tea-chefts, and my boxes 
for holding coffee and fugar, were all filled Vv^ith 
them. I now expeded foon to reach the centre 
of the colonies and I fliould have confidered 
the flighteft accident that might have hap- 
pened to retard our nicirch as a great misfor- 
tune. 
