TRAVELS IN 
486 
lag and fiihing. Flaying provided themfelves 
with a convenient bark, ammunition, fithing 
tackle, &c. they fet fail, diredting their courfe 
South, along the coaft, towards the point of Flo- 
rida, putting into bays and rivers, as conveniency 
and the profpedl of game invited them. The 
pleating 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 injundtions 
of their parents and friends, ftili purfuing the de- 
lufive objedls, 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 fhades $ 
when, alas ! cruel unexpedted 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, fo 
rich a prize ; they hurry away into cruel bondage 
the haplefs youths, conducing them by devious 
paths 5 through dreary fwamps and boundlefs fa- 
v annas, 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 Englifh traders in thefe towns, 
who learning the charadters of the captives, and ex- 
pedlmg great rewards from the Spaniili governor, 
if they could deliver them, petitioned the Indians 
on their behalf, expreifing their wifties to obtain 
their refeue, 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 fon. 
