THE DIVIDING LINE. 
19 
where the line ended. Every thing looked so very clean, and the furniture 
so neat, that we were tempted to lodge within doors. But the novelty of 
being shut up so close quite spoiled our rest, nor did we breathe so free by 
abundance', as when we lay in the open air. 
14th. Before nine of the clock this morning, the provisions, bedding and 
other necessaries, were made up into packs for the men to carry on their 
shoulders into the Dismal. They were victualled for eight days at full allow- 
ance, nobody doubting but that would be abundantly sufficient to carry them 
through that inhospitable place ; nor indeed was it possible for the poor fel- 
lows to stagger under more. As it W'as, their loads weighed from 60 to 70 
pounds, in just proportion to the strength of those who were to bear them. 
It would have been unconscionable to have saddled them with burthens 
heavier than that, when they were to lug them through a filthy bog,- which 
was hardly practicable with no burthen at all. Besides this luggage at their 
backs, they were obliged to measure the distance, mark the trees, and clear 
the way for the surveyors every step they went. It was really a pleasure to 
see with how much cheerfulness they undertook, and with how much spirit 
they went through all this drudgery. For their greater safe^ty, the commis- 
sioners took care to furnish them with Peruvian bark, rhubarb and iiipocoa- 
canah, in case they might happen, in that wet journey, to be taken with fevers 
or fluxes. Although there was no need of example to inflame persons al- 
ready so cheerful, yet to enter the people with the better grace, the author 
and two more of the commissioners accompanied them half a mile into the 
Dismal. The skirts of it were thinly planted with dwarf reeds and gall 
bushes, but when we got into the Dismal itself, we found the reeds grew there 
much taller and closer, and, to mend the matter, were so interlaced with 
bamboo-briers, that there was no scuffling through them without the help of 
pioneers. At the same time, we found the ground moist and trembling under 
our feet like a quagmire, insomuch that it was an easy matter to run a ten- 
foot pole up to the head in it, without exerting any uncommon strength to do 
it. Two of the men, whose burthens were the least cumbersome, had orders 
to march before, with their tomahawks, and clear the way, in order to make 
an opening for the surveyors. By their assistance we made a shift to push 
the line half a mile in three hours, and then reached a small piece of firm 
land, about 100 yards wide, standing up above the rest like an island. Here 
the people were glad to lay down their loads and lake a little refreshment, 
while the happy man, whose lot it was to carry the jug of rum, began alrea- 
dy, like .^sop’s bread-carriers, to find it grow a good deal lighter. 
After reposing about an hour, the commissioners recommended vigour and 
constancy to their fellow-travellers, by whom they were answered with three 
cheerful huzzas, in token of obedience. This ceremony was no sooner over 
but they took up their burthens and attended the motion of the surveyors, 
who, though they worked with all their might, could reach but one mile far- 
ther, the same obstacles still attending them which they had met with in the 
morning. However small this distance may seem to such as are used to 
travel at their ease, yet our poor men, who were obliged to work with an 
unwieldy load at their backs, had reason to think it a long way ; especially 
in a bog where they had no firm footing, but every step made a deep impres- 
sion, which was instantly filled with water. At the same time they were 
labouring with their hands to cut down the reeds, which were ten feet high, 
their legs were hampered with the briers. Besides, the weather happened to 
be warm, and the tallness of the reeds kept off every friendly breeze from 
coming to refresh them. And, indeed, it was a little provoking to hear the 
wind whistling among the branches of the white cedars, which grew here 
and there amongst the reeds, and at the same time not to have the comfort to 
feel the least breath of it. 
