4i6 
TRAVELS 1ST 
CHAP. VII. 
The next day after my return to Mobile* I 
found myfelf very ill* and not a little alarmed by 
an exceftive pain in my head, attended with a high 
fever ; this diforder foon fettled in my eyes, nature 
purfuing that way to expel the malady* caufing a 
mod: painful defluxion of pellucid* corrofive water ; 
notwithfcanding* I next day fet off on board a large 
trading boat* the property of a French gentleman* 
and commanded by him (he being general interpre- 
ter for the Chactaw nation), on his return to his 
plantations* on the banks of Pearl river : our bark 
was large* well equipped for failing, and manned 
with three flout Negroes* to row in cafe of neceff 
fity. We embarked in the evening, and came to 
about fix miles below the town* at a pleafant farm, 
the mailer of which (who was a Frenchman) enter- 
tained us in a very polite and friendly manner* 
The wind favourable* next morning early we fet 
fail again* and having made extraordinary way* 
about noon came up abreafl of a high deep bluff* 
or perpendicular cliff of high land, touching on 
the bay of the Weft coaft, where we went on fhore* 
to give liberty to the Haves to reft and refrefh 
themfeives. In the mean time I accompanied the 
captain on an excurfion into the fpacious level 
forefts, which fpread abroad from the fhore to a 
great diftance back ; obferved veftiges of an anci- 
ent fortrefs and fettle ment* and there vet remain a 
few pieces of iron cannon ; but what principally 
attracted my notice* was three vaft iron pots or ket- 
tles* each of many hundred gallons contents : upon 
inquiry* 
