TRAVELS IN 
486 
ing and fifhing. Having provided themfelves 
with a convenient bark, ammunition, fifhing 
tackle, &c., they fet fail, directing their courfe 
South, along the coaft, towards the point of Flo- 
rida, putting into bays and rivers, as conveniency 
and the profpeCt of game invited them. The 
pleafing rural and diverfified fcenes of the Florida 
coaft, imperceptibly allured them far to the fouth, 
beyond the Spanifh fortified poft. Unfortunate 
youths ! regardlefs of the advice and injunctions 
of their parents and friends, (fill purfuing the de~ 
lufive objeCts, they entered a harbour at evening* 
with a view of chafing the roe-buck, and hunting 
up the fturdy bear, folacing themfelves with de- 
licious fruits, and repofing under aromatic (hades ; 
when, alas ! cruel unexpected event ! in the bea- 
tific moments of their (lumbers, they were fur- 
rounded, arrefted and carried off by a predatory 
band of Creek Indians, proud of the capture, fa 
rich a prize ; they hurry away into cruel bondage 
the haplefs youths, conducting them by devious 
paths through dreary fwamps and boundlefs fa- 
vannas, to the Nation. 
At that time the Indians were at furious war 
with the Spaniards, fcarcely any bounds fet to 
their cruelties on either fide : in fhort, the mi- 
ferable youths were condemned to be burnt. 
But there were Englilli traders in thefe towns, 
who learning the character of the captives, and ex- 
pecting great rewards from the Spanifh governor, 
if they could deliver them, petitioned the Indians 
on their behalf, expreffing their willies to obtain 
their refcue, offering a great ranfom ; acquaint- 
ing them at the fame time, that they were young 
men of high rank, and one of them the gover- 
nor’s ion. 
2 
Upon 
