TRAVELS IN’ 
1 32 
diftance from us. Continuing eight or nine miles 
through this fublime foreft, we entered on an open 
foreft of lofty pines and oaks, on gently fwelling fand 
hills, and prefently faw the lake, its waters fparkling 
through the open groves. Is ear the path was a large 
artificial mound of earth, on a mod; charming, high 
fituation, fuppofed to be the work of the ancient 
Floridans or Yamafees ; with other traces of an In- 
dian town. Here were three or four Indian habita- 
tions 3 the women and children faluted us with 
cheerfulnefs and complaifance. After riding near a 
mile farther, we arrived at Cufcowilla, near the 
banks : a pretty brook of water ran through the 
town, and entered the lake juft by. 
We were welcomed to the town, and conduced 
by the young men and maidens to the chief's houfe, 
which flood on an eminence, and was diftingoifhed 
from the reft by its fuperior magnitude, a large flag 
being hoifted on a high ftaff at one corner We 
immediately alighted : the chief, who is called the 
Cowkeeper, attended by feveral ancient men, came 
to us, and in a very free and foci able manner, (hook 
our hands, or rather arms, (a form of falutation pe- 
culiar to the American Indians) faying at the fame 
time, “ You are come." We followed him to an 
apartment prepared for the reception of their 
guefts. 
The pipe being filled, it is handed around 3 after 
which a large bowl, with what they call £C thin 
drink," is brought in and fee down on a fmall low 
table. In this bowl is a great wooden ladle 3 each 
perfon takes up in it as much as he pleafes, and after 
drinking until fatisfied, returns it again into the 
bowl, pufhing the handle towards the next perfon in 
the circle 3 and fo it goes round. 
