NORTH AMERICA® 
447 
when he inftantly fprang up, ran off, leaped the 
fence, and had the good fortune to get into a 
dark fwamp, overgrown with vines and thickets, 
where he miraculoufly eluded the earned: re- 
fearches of his enemies, and finally made a f'afe 
retreat to the houfe of his father-in-law, the chief 
of the town, throwing himfelf under his pro- 
tection, who gave his word that he would do 
him all the favour that lay in his power. This 
account I had from his own mouth, for hearing 
of my return, the next morning after my arrival, 
he lent a trufly melTenger, by whom I found 
means of accefs to him. He farther informed 
me, that there had been a council of the chiefs 
of the town convened, to deliberate on the affair, 
and their final determination was that he muff 
lofe his ears, or forfeit all his goods, which 
amounted to upwards of one thoufand pounds 
Berlin g, and even that forfeiture would not fave 
his ears, unlefs Mr. Golphin interpofed in his 
behalf; and after all, the injured Indian declares 
that he will have his life. He entreated me with 
tears to make what fpeed I could to Silver Bluff, 
reprefent his dangerous fituation to Mr. Gol- 
phin, and folicit that gentleman's mofl fpeedy 
and effectual interference ; which 1 allured hiftj 
i would undertake. 
Now having all things prepared for my depar- 
ture, early in the morning, after taking leave of 
my diftreffed friend the trader of Mucclaife, I 
fat off ; paffed through continued plantations 
and Indian towns on my way up the Tallapoofe 
river, being every where treated by the inhabi- 
tants with marks of friendfhip, even as though I 
had been their countryman and relation. Called 
by the way at the beautiful town of Coelome, 
. where 
