TRAVELS IN' 
43 2 
plantations, In league and friendfhip with the In- 
dians, in a few years they became a populous^ 
rich and growing colony; when through the im- 
prudent and tyrannical conduct of the command- 
ant towards the Natches, the ancients of the 
country, a very powerful and civilized nation of 
red men, who were fovereigns of the foil, and 
poffeffed the country round about them, they be- 
came tired of thefe comers, and exafperated at 
their cruelty and licentioufnefs, at length deter- 
mining to revenge themfelves of fuch inhumanity 
and ingratitude, fecretly confpired their defini- 
tion ; and their meafures were fo well concerted 
with other Indian tribes, that if it had not been 
for the treachery of one of their princeffes, with 
whom the commander was in favour (for by her 
influence her nation attempted the deflrudtion of 
the fettlement, before their auxiliaries joined them* 
which afforded an opportunity for fome few of 
the fettlers to efcape), they would have fully ac- 
compli ihed their purpofe. However the fettle- 
ment was entirely broken up, mofl of the inhabi- 
tants being flaughtered in one night* and the few 
who efcaped betook themfelves to their canoes, 
delcending the river until they arrived at this 
place, where they eflablifhed themfelves again 5 
and this gentleman had only time and opportu- 
nity to take into his boat one heifer calf, which he 
allured us was the mother of the numerous herds 
he now pofTefTes, confiding of many hundred head. 
Here is now a very refpeclable village, defended 
by a flrong fortrefs and gagrifon of Spaniards* 
the commander being governor of the diftridt. 
The French here are able, ingenious and in- 
duftrious planters : they live eafy and plentifully* 
and are far more regular and commendable in the 
enjoys 
