NORTH AMERICA* iSj 
We approached die favanna at the fouth end by 
a narrow ifthmus ©f level ground, open to the light 
of day, and clear of trees or bufnes, and not greatly 
elevated above the common level, having on our 
right a fpacious meadow, embellifhed with a little 
lake, one verge of which was not very difcant from 
us ; its fhore is a moderately high, circular bank, 
partly encircling a cove of the pond, in the farm 
of a half moon ; the water is clear and deep, and, 
at the distance of fome hundred yards, was a large 
floating field (if I may fo exprefs myfelf) of the 
Nymphsea nelumbo, with their golden blofloms wav- 
ing to and fro on their lofty items. Beyond thefe 
fields of Nymphsea were fpacious plains, encompaffed 
by dark groves, opening to extenfive Pine foreits, 
other plains (till appearing beyond them. 
This little lake and furrounding meadows would 
have been alone fufficient to furprife and delight the 
traveller ; but being placed fo near the great fa- 
vanna, the attention is quickly drawn off, and wholly 
engaged in the contemplation of the unlimited, va- 
ried, and truly aftonifhiiig native wild fcenes of 
landfcape and perfpe&ive, there exhibited : how 
is the mind agitated and bewildered, at being thus, 
as it were, placed on the borders of a new world ! 
On the firft view of fuch an amazing difplay of the 
wifdom and power of the fupreine author of nature, 
the mind for a moment feems fufpended, and im- 
preiTed with awe. 
This ifthmus being the common avenue or road 
of Indian travellers, we pitched our camp at a fmall 
diftance from it, on a rifing knoll near the verge 
of the favanna, under fome fpreading Live Oaks : 
this fituation was open and airy, and gave us an un- 
bounded profpedl over the adjacent plains. Dewy 
evening 
