48 
THE HISTORY OF 
heavy complaints, that they had been half starved, like Tantalus, in the midst 
of plenty, for the reason above mentioned. 
The soil we past over this day was generally very good, being clothed 
with large trees, of poplar, hickory and oak. But another certain token of 
its fertility was, that wild angelica grew plentifully upon it. The root of 
this plant, being very warm and aromatic, is coveted by woodsmen extreme- 
ly as a dry dram, that is, when rum, that cordial for all distresses, is wanting. 
Several deer came into our view as we marched along, but none into the pot, 
which made it necessary for us to sup on the fragments we had been so 
provident as to carry along with us. This being but a temperate repast, 
made some of our hungry fellows call the place we lodged at that night, 
Bread and Water Camp. 
A great flock of cranes flew over our quarters, that were exceeding clamo- 
rous in their flight. Thejr seem to steer their course towards the south (be- 
ing birds of passage) in quest of warmer weather. They only took this 
country in their way, being as rarely met with, in this part of the world, as a 
highwayman or a beggar. These birds travel generally in flocks, and when 
they roost they place sentinels upon some of the highest trees, which con- 
stantly stand upon one leg to keep themselves waking.* 
Our Indian killed nothing all day but a mountain partridge, which a little 
resembled the common partridge in the plumage, but was near as large as a 
dunghill hen. These are very frequent towards the mountains, though we 
had the fortune to meet with very few. They are apt to be shy, and conse- 
quently the noise of so great a number of people might easily scare them 
away from our sight. We found what we conceived to be good limestone 
in several places, and a great quantity of blue slate. 
10th. The day began very fortunately by killing a fat doe, and two brace 
of wild turkeys ; so the plenty of the morning made amends for the short 
commons over night. One of the new men we brought out with us the last 
time was unfortunately heard to wish himself at home, and for that show of 
impatience was publicly reprimanded at the head of the men, who were all 
drawn up to witness his disgrace. He was asked how he came so soon to 
be tired of the company of so many brave fellows, and whether it was the 
danger or the fatigue of the journey that disheartened him 1 This public re- 
proof from thenceforward put an effectual stop to all complaints, and not a 
man amongst us after that pretended so much as to wish himself in Paradise. 
A small distance from our camp we crossed a pleasant stream of water 
called Cocquade creek, and something more than a mile from thence our line 
intersected the south branch of Roanoke river the first time, which we called 
the Dan. It was about two hundred yards wide where we forded it, and 
when we came over to the west side, we found the banks lined with a forest 
of tall canes, that grew more than a furlong in depth. So that it cost us 
abundance of time and labour to cut a passage through them wide enough 
for our baggage. In the mean time we had leisure to take a full view of this 
charming river. The stream, which was perfectly clear, ran down about 
* Nor are these birds the only animals that appoint scouts to keep the main body from 
being surprised. For the baboons, whenever they go upon any mischievous expedition, 
such as robbing an orchard, place sentinels to look out towards every point of the 
compass, and give notice of any danger. Then ranking themselves in one file, that reaches 
from the mountain where they harbour, to the orchard they intend to rob, some of them 
toss the fruits from the trees to those that stand nearest, these throw them to the next, 
and so from one to the other, till the fruit is all secured in a few minutes out of harm’s 
way. In the mean time, if any of the scouts should be careless at their posts, and suffer 
any surprise, they are torn to pieces without mercy. In case of danger these sentinels 
set up a fearful cry, upon which the rest take the alarm, and scour away to the moun- 
tains as fast as they can. 
