1 8 2 TRAVELS IN 
diftance from us. Continuing eight or nine miles 
through this fublime foreft, we entered on an open 
foreft of lofty pines and oaks, on gently fweliing fand 
hills, and presently faw the lake, its waters fparkling 
through the open groves. Near the path was a large 
artificial mound of earth, on a molt charming, high 
fituation, fnppofed to be the work of the ancient 
Floridans or Y amafees ; with other traces of an In- 
dian town. Here were three or four Indian habita- 
tions ; the women and children faluted us with cheer- 
fulnefs 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 conduced 
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 ft aft 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 foci able manner, fhook 
our hands, or rather arms, (a form of lklutation pe- 
culiar to the American Indians) faying at the fame 
time, £C You ate come.” We followed him to an 
apartment prepared for the reception of their 
guefts. 
The pipe being filed, 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 , and fo it goes round. 
