NORTH AMERICA. 
2 33 
J e fs range and exuberant pafture for cattle, deer, 
llieep, &c. : the waters every where, even in the 
holes in the earth, abound with varieties of excellent 
fifhj and the forefts and native meadows with wild 
game, as bear, deer, turkeys, quail, and in the win- 
ter feafon geefe, ducks, and other fowl: and lying 
contiguous to one of the mod beautiful navigable 
rivers in the world, and not more than thirty miles 
from St. Mark’s on the great bay of Mexico, is moil 
conveniently fituated for the Weft India trade and 
the commerce of all the world, 
After indulging my imagination in the contem- 
plation of thefe grand diverfified fcenes, we turned 
to the right hand, riding over the charming green 
terrace dividing the forefts from the plains, and then 
entering the groves again, continued eight or nine 
miles up the river, four or rive miles diftance from 
its banks ; having continually in view, on one fide 
or other, expanfive green fields, groves, and high 
forefts; the meadows glittering with diftant lakes 
and ponds, alive with cattle, deer, and turkeys, and 
frequently prefenting to view remains of ancient. 
Spanifh plantations. At length, towards evening, 
we turned about and came within fight of the river, 
where falling on the Indian trading path, we conti- 
nued along it to the landing-place oppofite the town i 
when hallooing and difc barging our pieces, an Indian 
with a canoe came prefently over, and conducted us 
to the town before dark. 
On our arrival at the trading houfe, our chief 
was vifited by the head men of the town, when 
inftantly the White King’s arrival in town was 
announced: a meflenger had before been fent in to 
prepare a feaft, the king and his retinue having 
killed feveral bears, A fire was now kindled in the 
area 
