THE LAND OF EDEN. 
107 
company, who had procured some pieces of copper ore from Cargil’s mine, 
which seemed full of metal. This mine lies about twelve miles higher than 
major Mumford’s plantation, and has a better show than any yet discovered. 
There are so many appearances of copper in these parts, that the inhabitants 
seem to be all mine-mad, and neglect making of corn for their present neces- 
sities, in hopes of growing very rich hereafter. 
19th. The heavens lowered a little upon us in the morning, but, like a 
damsel ruffled by too bold an address, it soon cleared up again. Because I 
detested idleness, I caused my overseer to paddle me up the river as far as 
the strait that divides Occaneeche from Totero island, which is about 
twenty yards wide. There runs a swift stream continually out of the south 
part of the river into the north, and is in some places very deep. We crossed 
the south part to the opposite shore, to view another entry I had made, be- 
ginning at Buffalo creek and running up the river to guard my islands, and 
keep off bad neighbours on that side. The land seems good enough for corn 
along the river, but a quarter of a mile back it is broken, and full of stones. 
After satisfying my curiosity, I returned the way that I came, and shot the 
same strait back again, and paddled down the river to the company. 
When we got home, we laid the foundation of two large cities. One at 
Shacco’s, toffle called Richmond, and the other at the point of Appomattox 
river, to be named Petersburg. These major Mayo offered to lay out into 
lots without fee or reward. The truth of it is, these two places being the 
uppermost landing of James and Appomattox rivers, are naturally intended 
for marts, where the traffic of the outer inhabitants must centre. Thus we did 
not build castles only, but also cities in the air. In the evening our ammunition 
arrived safe, and the Indians came to us, resolved to make part of our com- 
pany, upon condition of their being supplied with powder and shot, and 
having the skins of all the deer they killed to their own proper use. 
20th. Every thing being ready for a march, we left Blue Stone Castle 
about ten. My company consisted of four gentlemen (namely, major Mayo, 
major Mumford, Mr. Banister and Mr. Jones,) and five woodsmen, Thomas 
Wilson, Henry Morris, Joseph Colson, Robert Bolling and Thomas Hooper, 
four negroes and three Tuscaruda Indians. With this small troop we pro- 
ceeded up the river as far as Hogen’s, above which, about a quarter of a 
mile, we forded into the little island, and frorii thence into the fork of the 
river. The water was risen so high, that it ran into the top of my boots, 
but without giving me any cold, although I rode in my wet stockings. We 
landed three miles above the point of the fork, and, after marching three miles 
farther, reached the tenement of Peter Mitchell, the highest inhabitant on 
Roanoke river. Two miles above that we forded a water, which we named 
Birche’s creek, not far from the mouth, where it discharges itself into the 
Dan. From thence we rode through charming low-grounds, for six miles 
together, to a larger stream, which we agreed to call Banister river. We 
were puzzled to find a ford by reason the water was very high, but at last 
got safe over, about one and a half miles from the banks of the Dan. In our 
way we killed two very large rattle-snakes, one of fifteen and the other of 
twelve rattles. They were both fat, but nobody would be persuaded to car- 
ry them to our quarters, although they would have added much to the 
luxury of our supper. We pitched our tents upon Banister river, where we 
feasted on a young buck which had the ill luck to cross our way. It rained 
great part of the night, with very loud thunder, which rumbled frightfully 
amongst the tall trees that surrounded us in that low ground, but, thank God ! 
without any damage. Our Indians killed three deer, but were so lazy they 
brought them not to the camp, pretending for their excuse that they were 
too lean. 
