TRAVELS 
chance of keeping up with them until the even^ 
ing of next day ; befides I had the comfort of 
obferving that the traders and pack-horfemen 
carried themfelves towards me with evident figns 
of humanity and friendihip, often exprefiing fen- 
timents of fympathy, and faying I mult not be left 
alone to periih in the wildernefs. 
Although my apprehenfions on this occafion 
were fomewhat tumultuous, fince there was little 
hope, on the principle of reafon, fhould I be left 
alone, of efcaping cruel captivity, and perhaps 
being murdered by the Chaflaws (for the com- 
pany of traders was my only fecurity, as the 
Indians never attack the traders on the road,, 
though they be trading with nations at enmity 
■with them) yet I had fee ret hopes of relief and 
deliverance, that cheered me, and infpired con- 
fidence and peace of mind. 
Now I am come within the atmofphere of the 
Illicium groves, how reanimating is the fra- 
grance ! every part of this plant above ground 
poflefles an aromatic feent, but the large itillated 
pericarpe is the moft fragrant part of it, which 
continually perfpires an oleagenous fweat, as 
warm and vivific as cloves or mace. I never faw 
it grow naturally further North than Lat. 33% 
on the Mobile river and its branches, and but 
one place in Eaft Florida near Lake George, 
Lat. 
About the middle of the afternoon, we w r ere 
joyfully furprifed at the diftant profpefi of the 
trading company coming up, and we foon met, 
faludng each other feveral times with a general 
Indian whoop, or fhout of friendfhip ; then each 
company came to camp within a few paces of 
