TRAVELS IN’ 
of the flakes or laminae incredibly large, entire and 
tranfparent, and would ferve the purpofe of lights 
for windows very well, or for lanthorns ; and here 
appeared ftrata of black lead (ftibium). 
At length, after much toil and exercife, I was a 
little relieved by a narrow grafly vale or lawn at the 
foot of this deep defcent, through which courfed 
along a confiderable rapid brook, on whofe banks 
grew in great perfection the glorious Magnolia 
snariculata, together with the other confpicuouS 
flowering and aromatic fhrubs already mentioned ; 
and i obferved here in the rich bottoms near the 
creek, a new fpecies of Hydraitis, having very 
large finuated leaves and white flowers ; after this 
I continued feveral miles over ridges and grafly 
vales, watered with delightful rivulets. 
Next day proceeding on eight or ten miles* 
generally through fpacious high forefts and flowery 
lawns; the foil prolific, being of an excellent qua- 
lity for agriculture ; came near the banks of a large 
creek or river, where this high forefl: ended on my 
left hand, the trees became more fcattered and in» 
jenfibly united with a grafly glade or lawn border- 
ing on the river ; on the oppoiite bank of which 
appeared a very extenfive forefl:, confiding entirely 
©f the Hemlock fpruce (P. abies), almod encircled 
by diflant ridges of lofty hills. 
Soon after crofling this large branch of the Ta- 
nafe, I obferved, defending the heights at fome 
diflanee, a company of Indians, all well mounted 
©n horfe-back ; they came rapidly forward ; on 
their nearer approach, I obferved a chief at the head 
©f the caravan, and apprehending him to be the 
Little Carpenter^ emperor or grand chief of the 
Cherokees^ 
