44 
THE HISTORY OF 
who advanced the line nine miles and two hundred and fifty-four poles. About 
three miles from the camp they crossed a large creek, which the Indians called 
Massamoni, signifying, in their language. Paint creek, because of the great 
quantity of red ochre found in its banks. This in every fresh tinges the water 
just as the same mineral did formerly, and to this day continues to tinge, the 
famous river Adonis, in Phognicia, by which there hangs a celebrated fable. 
Three miles beyond that we passed another water with difficulty, called Ya- 
patsco, or Beaver creek. Those industrious animals had dammed up the wa- 
ter so high, that we had much ado to get over. It is hardly credible how 
much work of this kind they^wilL do in the space of one night. They bite 
young saplings into proper lengths *^ith their fore-teeth, which are exceeding 
strong and sharp; and afterwardC ‘drag them to the place where they intend 
to stop the water. Then they know how to join timber and earth together 
with so much skill, that their work is able to resist the most violent flood that 
can happen. In this they are qualified to instruct their betters, it being cer- 
tain their dams will stand firm when the strongest that are made by men will 
be carried down the stream. We observed very broad low grounds upon 
this creek, with a growth of large trees, and all the other signs of fertility, 
but seemed subject to be every where overflowed in a fresh. The certain 
way to catch these sagacious animals is this: Squeeze all the juice out of the 
large pride of the beaver, and six drops out of the small pride. Powder the 
inward bark of sassafras, and mix it with this juice, then bait therewith a 
steel trap, and they will eagerly come to it, and be taken. 
About three miles and a half further we came to the banks of another creek, 
called, in the Saponi language, Ohimpa-moni, signifying Jumping creek, from 
the frequent jumping of fish during the spring season. 
Here we encamped, and by the time the horses were hobbled, our hunters 
brought us no less than a brace and a half of deer, which made great plenty, 
and consequently great content in our quarters. Some of our people had 
shot a great wild cat, which was that fatal moment making a comfortable 
meal upon a fox-squirrel, and an ambitious sportsman of our company 
claimed the merit of killing this monster after it was dead. The wild cat is 
as big again as any household cat, and much the fiercest inhabitant of the 
woods. Whenever it is disabled, it will tear its own flesh for madness. 
Although a panther will run away from a man, a wild cat will only make a 
surly retreat, and now and. then facing about, if he be too closely pursued; 
and will even pursue in his turn, if he observe the least sign of fear or even 
of caution in those that pretend to follow him. The flesh of this beast, as well 
as of the panther, is as white as veal, and altogether as sweet and delicious. 
3d. We got to work early this morning, and carried the line eight miles and 
a hundred and sixty poles. We forded several runs of excellent water, and 
afterwards traversed a large level of high land full of lofty walnut, poplar, and 
white oak trees, which are certain proofs of a fruitful soil. This level was hear 
two miles in length, and of an unknown breadth, quite out of danger of 
being overflowed, which is a misfortune most of the low grounds are liable 
to in those parts. As we marched along we saw many buffalo tracks, and 
abundance of their dung very fresh, but could not have the pleasure of see- 
ing them. They either smelt us out, having that sense very quick, or else 
were alarmed at the noise that so many people must necessarily make in 
marching along. At the sight of a man they will snort and grunt, cock up 
their ridiculous short tails, and tear up the ground with a sort of timorous 
fury. These wild cattle hardly ever range alone, but herd together like those 
that are tame. They are seldom seen so far north as forty degrees of latitude, 
delighting much in canes and reeds, which grow generally more southerly. 
We quartered on the banks of a creek that the inhabitants call Tewaho- 
