NORTH AMERICA. 
227 
iiig up horfes belonging to the trading company; 
the young interpreter, my companion, who was 
obliging to me, and whom our chief previoufiy re- 
commended to me as an affociate, propofed to me 
another little voyage down the river. This was 
agreeable to me, being defirous of increafing my 
obfervations during our continuance at Talahaf- 
ochte; as when the White King fhould return 
to town (which was expe&ed every hour) we in- 
tended after audience and treaty to leave them and 
encamp in the forefts, about fifteen miles diftance 
and nearer the range of their horfes. 
Having fupplied ourfelves with ammunition and 
provifion, we fet off in the cool of the morning, 
and defcended pleafantly, riding on the cryftal 
flood, which flows down with an eafy, gentle, yet 
aftive current, rolling over its filvery bed. How 
abundantly are the waters replenifhed with inhabit- 
ants 1 the ftream almofi: as tranfparent as the air 
we breathe ; there is nothing done in fecret except 
on its green flowery verges, where nature, at the 
command of the Supreme Creator, hath fpread a 
mantle* as a covering and retreat at fuitable and 
convenient times, but by no means a fecure refuge 
from the voracious enemy and purifier. 
Behold the watery nations, in numerous bands 
roving to and fro, amidft each other; here they feem 
all at peace ; though, incredible to relate ! but a few 
yards off, near the verge of the green mantled fhore 
there is eternal war, or rather daughter. Near the 
banks the waters become turbid, from fiibftances 
gradually diverging from each fide of the fwifc chan- 
nel, and collections of opaque particles whirled to 
fhore by the eddies, which afford a kind of nurfery for 
CL 2 young 
