THE DIVIDING LINE 
65 
deliberated which way it might be most proper to return. We had at first 
intended to cross over at the foot of the mountains to the head of James 
river, that we might be able to describe that natural boundary so far. But, 
on second thoughts, we found many good reasons against that laudable de- 
sign, such as the weakness of our horses, the scantiness of our bread, and the 
near approach of winter. We had cause to believe the way might be full 
of hills, and the farther we went towards the north, the more danger there 
would be of snow. Such considerations as these determined- us at last to 
make the best of our way back upon the line, which was the straightest, and 
consequently the shortest way to the inhabitants. We knew the worst of 
our course, and were sure of a beaten path all the way, while we were totally 
ignorant what difficulties and dangers the other course might be attended 
with. So prudence got the better for once of curiosity, and the itch for 
new discoveries gave place to selfpreservation. Our inclination vras the 
stronger to cross over according to the course of the mountains, that we 
might find out whether James river and Appomattox river head there, or 
run quite through them. It is certain that Potomac passes in a large stream 
through the main ledge, and then divides itself into two considerable rivers. 
That which stretches away to the northward is called Cohungaroota,* and 
that which flows to the south-west, hath the name of Sharantow. The course 
of this last stream is near parrallel to the Blue Ridge of mountains, at the dis- 
tance only of about three or four miles. Though how far it may continue 
that course has not yet been sufficiently discovered, but some woodsmen pre- 
tend to say it runs as far as the source of Roanoke ; nay, they are so very 
particular as to tell us that Roanoke, Sharantow, and another wide branch of 
Mississippi, all head in one and the same mountain. What dependence there 
may be upon this conjectural geography, I will not pretend to say, though it is 
certain that' Sharantow keeps close to the mountains, as far as we are 
acquainted with its tendency. We are likewise assured that the south branch 
of James river, within less than twenty miles east of the main ledge, makes 
an elbow, and runs due south-west, which is parallel with the mountains on 
this side. But how far it stretches that way, before it returns, is not yet cer- 
tainly known, no more than where it takes its rise. 
In the mean time it is strange that our woodsmen have not had curiosity 
enough to inform themselves more exactly of these particulars, and it is 
stranger still that the government has never thought it worth the expense of 
making an accurate survey of the mountains, that we might be masters of 
that natural fortification before the French, who in some places have settle- 
ments not very distant from it. It therefore concerns his majesty’s service 
very nearly, and the safety of his subjects in this part of the world, to take 
possession of so important a barrier in time, lest our good friends, the French, 
and the Indians, through their means, prove a perpetual annoyance to these 
colonies. Another reason to invite us to secure this great ledge of mountains 
is, the probability that very valuable mines may be discovered there. Nor 
would it be at all extravagant to hope for silver mines, among the rest, be- 
cause part of these mountains lie exactly in the same parallel, as well as 
upon the same continent with New Mexico, and the mines of St. Barb. 
28th. We had given orders for the horses to be brought up early, but the 
likelihood of more rain prevented our being over-hasty in decamping. Nor 
were we out in our conjectures, for about ten o’clock it began to fall very 
plentifully. Our commissioner’s pain began now to abate, as the swelling 
increased. He made an excellent figure for a mountaineer, with one boot of 
* Which by a late survey has been found to extend above two hundred miles before it 
reaches its source, in a mountain, from whence Allegany, one of the branches of Missis- 
sippi, takes its rise, and runs south-west, as this river does south-east. 
