The discoveries of John Lederer in three several marches from Virginia to the west of Carolina and other parts of the continent begun in March, 1669 and ended in September, 1670 : together with a general map of the whole territory which he traversed / collected and translated out of Latine from his discourse and writings, by Sir William Talbot, Baronet.

THE Discoveries of JOHN LEDERER from Virginia to the West of Carolina, and other parts of the Continent.

A General and brief Account of the North-American Continent.

NOrth, as well as South-America, may be di∣vided into three Regions: the Flats, the Highlands, and the Mountains. The Flats (in Indian, Ahkynt) is the Terri∣tory lying between the Eastern Coast, and the falls of the great Rivers, that there run into the Atlantick Ocean, in extent generally taken Ninety miles. The Highlands (in Indian, Ahkontshuck) begin at those falls, and determine at the foot of the great ridge of Mountains that runs thorow the midst of this Con∣tinent, Northeast and Southwest, called by the Spaniards A∣palataei, from the Nation Apalakin; and by the Indians, Pae∣motinck.

According to the best of my observation and con∣jecture, they lie parallel to the Altantick Sea-coast, that bearing from Canada to Cape Florida, Northeast and South∣west, and then falling off due West as the Mountains do at Sara: but here they take the name of Suala; Sara in the Warrennuncock dialect being Sasa or Sualy.

The Flats, of Ahkynt, are by former Writers made so well known to Christendom, that I will not stop the Reader here, with an unnecessary description of them; but shall onely say, that by the rankness of the Soyl, and salt moist∣ness of the Air, daily discoveries of Fish-shells three fathom deep in the earth, and Indian tradition; these parts are sup∣posed some Ages past to have lain under the Sea.

The Highlands (or Ahkontshuch) though under the same Parallels, are happie notwithstanding in a more temperate and healthful Air. The ground is over-grown with under∣wood in many places, and that so perplext and interwoven with Vines, that who travels here, must sometimes cut through his way. These Thickets harbour all sorts of beasts of prey, as Wolves, Panthers, Leopards, Lions, &c. (which are neither so large nor so fierce as those of Asia and Africa) and small Vermine, as wilde Cats, Foxes, Racoons. These parts were formerly possessed by the Tacci, aliàs Dogi; but they are extinct; and the Indians now seated here, are di∣stinguished into the several Nations of Mahoc, Nuntaneuck, a∣liàs Nuntaly, Nahyssan, Sapon, Managog, Mangoack, Akenat∣zy, and Monakin, &c. One Language is common to them all, though they differ in Dialects. The parts inhabited here are pleasant and fruitful, because cleared of Wood, and laid open to the Sun. The Valleys feed numerous herds of Deer and Elks larger then Oxen: these Valleys they call Savanae, being Marish grounds at the foot of the Apalataei, and year∣ly laid under water in the beginning of Summer by flouds of melted Snow falling down from the Mountains.

The Apalataean Mountains, called in Indian Paemotinck, (or the origine of the Indians) are barren Rocks, and

therefore deserted by all living creatures but Bears, who cave in the hollow Cliffs. Yet do these Mountains shoot out to the Eastward great Promontories of rich Land, known by the high and spreading trees which they bear: these Pro∣montories, because lower then the main Ridge, are called by the Indians Tanx-Paemotinck (aliàs Aquatt). To the North∣east the Mountains rise higher; and at Sara they sink so low, that they are easily passed over: but here (as was said before) they change their course and name, running due West, and being called Sualy: now the Sualian Mountains rise higher and higher Westward.

Of the Manners and Customs of the Indi∣ans inhabiting the Western parts of Ca∣rolina and Virginia.

THe Indians now seated in these parts, are none of those which the English removed from Virginiae, but a peo∣ple driven by an Enemy from the Northwest, and invited to sit down here by an Oracle above four hundred years since, as they pretend: for the ancient inhabitants of Virginia were far more rude and barbarous, feeding onely upon raw flesh and fish, until these taught them to plant Corn, and shewed them the use of it.

But before I treat of their ancient Manners and Customs, it is necessary I should shew by what means the knowledge of them hath been conveyed from former ages to posterity. Three ways they supply their want of Letters: first by Counters, secondly by Emblemes or Hieroglyphicks, third∣ly Tradition delivered in long Tales from father to son, which being children they are made to learn by rote.

For Counters, they use either Pebbles, or short scantlings of straw or reeds. Where a Batted has been fought, or a Colony seated, they raise a small Pyramid of these stones, consisting of the number slain or transplanted. Their reeds and straws serve them in Religious Ceremonies: for they lay them orderly in a Circle when they prepare for Devo∣tion or Sacrifice; and that performed, the Circle remains still; for it is Sacriledge to disturb or to touch it: the dis∣position and sorting of the straws and reeds, shew what kinde of Rites have there been celebrated, as Invocation, Sa∣crifice, Burial, &c.

The faculties of the minde and body they commonly ex∣press by Emblems. By the figure of a Stag, they imply swiftness; by that of a Serpent, wrath; of a Lion, courage; of a Dog, fidelity: by a Swan, they signifie the English, alluding to their complexion, and flight over the Sea.

An account of Time, and other things, they keep on a string or leather thong tied in knots of several colours. I took particular notice of small Wheels serving for this purpose amongst the Oenocks, because I have heard that the Mexicans use the same. Every Nation gives his particular Ensigne or Arms: The Sasquesahanaugh a Tarapine, or small Tortoise; the Akenatzy's a Serpent; the Nahyssanes three Arrows, &c. In this they likewise agree with the Mexican Indians. Vid. Jos. à Costa.

They worship one God, Creator of all things, whom some call Okaeè, others Mannith: to him alone the High-priest, or Periku, offers Sacrifice; and yet they believe he has no regard to sublunary affairs, but commits the Government of Mankinde to lesser Deities, as Quiacosough and Tagka∣nysough, that is, good and evil Spirits: to these the inferi∣our Priests pay their devotion and Sacrifice, at which they make recitals, to a lamentable Tune, of the great things done by their Ancestors.

From four women, viz. Pash, Sepoy, Askarin, and Mara∣skarin, they derive the Race of Mankinde; which they

therefore divide into four Tribes, distinguished under those several names. They very religiously observe the degrees of Marriage, which they limit not to distance of Kindred, but difference of Tribes, which are continued in the issue of the Females: now for two of the same Tribe to match, is ab∣horred as Incest, and punished with great severity.

Their places of Burial they divide into four quarters, as∣signing to every Tribe one: for, to mingle their bodies, e∣ven when dead, they hold wicked and ominous. They commonly wrap up the corpse in beasts skins, and bury with it Provision and Housholdstuff for its use in the other world. When their great men die, they likewise slay priso∣ners of War to attend them. They believe the transmi∣gration of souls: for the Angry they say is possest with the spirit of a Serpent; the Bloudy, with that of a Wolf; the Timorous, of a Deer; the Faithful, of a Dog, &c. and therefore they are figured by these Emblemes.

Elizium, or the abode of their lesser Deities, they place beyond the Mountains and Indian Ocean.

Though they want those means of improving Humane Reason, which the use of Letters affords us; let us not therefore conclude them wholly destitute of Learning and Sciences: for by these little helps which they have found, many of them advance their natural understandings to great knowledge in Physick, Rhetorick, and Policie of Govern∣ment: for I have been present at several of their Consulta∣tions and Debates, and to my admiration have heard some of their Seniors deliver themselves with as much Judgement and Eloquence as I should have expected from men of Ci∣vil education and Literature.

The First EXPEDITION, From the head of Pemaeoncock, aliàs York-River (due West▪ to the top of the A∣palataean Mountains.

UPon the ninth of March 1669, (with three Indians whose names were Magtakunh, Hopottoguoh, and Naunnugh) I went out at the falls of Pemaeoncock aliàs York-River in Virginia, from an Indian Village called Shicke∣hamany, and lay that night in the Woods, encountring no∣thing remarkable, but a Rattle-snake of an extraordinary length and thickness, for I judged it two yards and a half or better from head to tail, and as big about as a mans arm: by the distention of her belly, we believed her full with young; but having killed and opened her, found there a small Squirrel whole; which caused in me a double won∣der: first, how a Reptile should catch so nimble a creature as a Squirrel; and having caught it, how she could swallow it entire. The Indians in resolving my doubts, plunged me into a greater astonishment, when they to••d me that it was usual in these Serpents, when they lie basking in the Sun, to fetch down these Squirrels from the tops of trees, by fixing their eyes stedfastly upon them; the horrour of which strikes such an affrightment into the little beast, that he has no power to hinder himself from tumbling down into the jaws of his enemy, who takes in all his sustenance without chew∣ing, his teeth serving him onely to offend withal. But I ra∣ther believe what I have heard from others, that these Ser∣pents climb the trees, and surprise their prey in the nest.

The next day talling into Marish grounds between Pemae∣oncock and the head of the River Matapeneugh, the heaviness of the way obliged me to cross Pemaeoncock, where its North

and South-branch (called Ackmick) joyn in one. In the Peninsula made by these two branches, a great Indian King called Tottopottoma was heretofore slain in Battel, fighting for the Christians against the Mahocks and Nahyssans, from whence it retains his name to this day. Travelling thorow the Woods, a Doe seized by a wild Cat crossed our way; the miserable creature being even spent and breathless with the burden and cruelty of her rider, who having fastned on her shoulder, left not sucking out her bloud until she sunk under him: which one of the Indians perceiving, let flie a luckie Arrow, which piercing him thorow the belly, made him quit his prey already slain, and turn with a terrible grimas at us; but his strength and spirits failing him, we escaped his re∣venge, which had certainly ensued, were not his wound mortal. This creature is something bigger then our Eng∣lish Fox, of a reddish grey colour, and in figure every way agreeing with an ordinary Cat; fierce, ravenous and cun∣ning: for finding the Deer (upon which they delight most to prey) too swift for them, they watch upon branches of trees, and as they walk or feed under, jump down upon them. The Fur. of the wilde Cat, thought not very fine, is yet esteemed for its vertue in taking away cold Aches and Pains, being worn next to the body: their flesh, though rank as a Dogs, is eaten by the Indians.

The eleventh and twelfth, I found the ways very uneven, and cumbred with bushes.

The thirteenth, I reached the first Spring of Pemaeoncock, having crossed the River four times that day, by reason of its many windings; but the water was so shallow, that it hardly wet my horses pasterns. Here a little under the sur∣face of the earth, I found flat pieces petrified matter, of one side solid Stone, but on the other side I singlas, which I ea∣sily peeled off in flakes about four inches square: several of these pieces, with a transparent Stone like Crystal that cut Glass, and a white Marchasite that I purchased of the Indi∣ans, I presented to Sir William Berkley Governour of Virginia.

The fourteenth of March, from the top of an eminent hill, I first descried the Apalataean Mountains, bearing due West to the place I stood upon: their distance from me was so great, that I could hardly discern whether they were Mountains or Clouds, until my Indian fellow travellers pro∣strating themselves in Adoration, howled out after a bar∣barous manner, Okée poeze, i. e. God is nigh.

The fifteenth of March, not far from this hill, passing o∣ver the South-branch of Rappahanock-river, I was almost swallowed in a Quicksand. Great herds of Red and Fallow Deer I daily saw feeding; and on the hill-sides, Bears crash∣ing Mast like Swine. Small Leopards I have seen in the Woods, but never any Lions, though their skins are much worn by the Indians. The Wolves in these parts are so ra∣venous, that I often in the night feared my horse would be devoured by them, they would gather up and howl so close round about hi•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 though Tether'd to the same tree at whose foot I my 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and the Indians lay: but the Fires which we made, I suppose, scared them from worrying us all. Beaver and Otter I met with at every River that I pas∣sed; and the Woods are full of Grey Foxes.

Thus I travelled all the sixteenth; and on the seventeenth of March I reached the Apalataei. The Air here is very thick and chill; and the waters issuing from the Mountain∣sides, of a Blue colour, and Allumish taste.

The eighteenth of March, after I had in vain assayed to ride up, I alighted, and left my horse with one of the In∣dians, whilst with the other two I climbed up the Rocks, which were so incumbred with bushes and brambles, that the ascent proved very difficult: besides, the first precipice was so steep, that if I lookt down, I was immediately taken with a swimming in my head; though afterwards the way was more easie. The height of this Mountain was very extraordinary: for notwithstanding I set out with the first appearance of light, it was late in the evening before I gain∣ed the top, from whence the next morning I had a beautiful

prospect of the Atlantick-Ocean washing the Virginian-shore; but to the North and West, my sight was suddenly boun∣ded by Mountains higher than that I stood upon. Here did I wander in Snow, for the most part, till the Four and twentieth day of March, hoping to finde some passage through the Mountains; but the coldness of the Air and Earth together, seizing my Hands and Feet with numbness, put me to a ne plus ultra; and therefore having found my Indian at the foot of the Mountain with my Horse, I re∣turned back by the same way that I went.

The Second EXPEDITION, From the Falls of Powhatan, aliàs James-River, in Virginia, to Mahock in the Apalataean Mountains.

THe twentieth of May 1670, one Major Harris and my self, with twenty Christian Horse, and five Indians, marched from the Falls of James-River, in Virginia, to∣wards the Monakins; and on the Two and twentieth were welcomed by them with Volleys of Shot. Near this Village we observed a Pyramid of stones piled up together, which their Priests told us, was the Number of an Indian Colony drawn out by Lot from a Neighbour-Countrey o∣ver-peopled, and led hither by one Monack, from whom they take the Name of Monakin. Here enquiring the way to the Mountains, an ancient Man described with a staffe two paths on the ground; one pointing to the Mahocks, and the other to the Nahyssans; but my English Compani∣ons slighting the Indians direction, shaped their course by the Compass due West, and therefore it fell out with us, as

it does with those Land-Crabs, that crawling backwards in a direct line, avoid not the Trees that stand in their way, but climbing over their very tops, come down again on the other side, and so after a days labour gain not above two foot of ground. Thus we obstinately pursuing a due West course, rode over steep and craggy Cliffs, which beat our Horses quite off the hoof. In these Mountains we wan∣dred from the Twenty fifth of May till the Third of June, finding very little sustenance for Man or Horse; for these places are destitute both of Grain and Herbage.

The third of June we came to the South-branch of James-River, which Major Harris observing to run North∣ward, vainly imagined to be an Arm of the Lake of Ca∣nada; and was so transported with this Fancy, that he would have raised a Pillar to the Discovery, if the fear of the Mahock Indian, and want of food, had permitted him to stay. Here I moved to cross the Rive and march on; but the rest of the Company were so weary of the enterprize, that crying out, One and All, they had offered violence to me, had I not been provided with a private Commission from the Governour of Virginia to proceed, though the rest of the company should abandon me; the sight of which laid their fury.

The lesser Hills, or Akontshuck, are here unpassable, be∣ing both steep and craggy; the Rocks seemed to me at a di∣stance to resemble Eggs set up an end.

James-River is here as broad as it is about an hundred mile lower at Monakin; the passage over is very dangerous, by reason of the rapid Torrents made by Rocks and Shelves forcing the water into narrow Chanels. From an observa∣tion which we made of straws and rotten chuncks hanging in the boughs of Trees on the Bank, and two and twenty foot above water, we argued that the melted Snow falling from the Mountains swelled the River to that height, the Flood carrying down that rubbish which, upon the abate∣ment of the Inundation, remained in the Trees.

The Air in these parts was so moist, that all our Biscuit became mouldy and unfit to be eaten, so that some nicer stomachs, who at our setting out laughed at my provision of Indian-meal parched, would gladly now have shared with me: but I being determined to go upon further Discoveries, refused to part with any of that which was to be my most necessary sustenance.

The Continuation of the Second Expedition from Mahock, Southward, into the Pro∣vince of Carolina.

THe fifth of June, my Company and I parted good friends, they back again, and I with one Sasquesa∣hanough-Indian, named Jackzetavon, only, in pursuit of my first Enterprize, changing my course from West to South∣west & by South, to avoid the Mountains. Major Harris at parting gave me a Gun, believing me a lost man, and gi∣ven up as a prey to Indians or savage Beasts; which made him the bolder in Virginia to report strange things in his own praise and my disparagement, presuming I would ne∣ver appear to disprove him. This, I suppose, and no other, was the cause that he did with so much industry procure me discredit and odium; but I have lost nothing by it, but what I never studied to gain, which is Popular applause.

From the fifth, which was Sunday, until the ninth of June, I travelled through difficult Ways, without seeing any Town or Indian; and then I arrived at Sapon, a Village of the Nahyssans, about an hundred miles distant from Mahock, scituate upon a branch of Shawan, aliàs Rorenock-River; and though I had just cause to fear these Indians, because they had been in continual Hostility with the Christians for

ten years before; yet presuming that the Truck which I carried with me would procure my welcome, I adventured to put my self into their power, having heard that they never offer any injury to a few persons from whom they ap∣prehend no danger: nevertheless, they examined me strict∣ly whence I came, whither I went, and what my business was. But after I had bestowed some trifles of Glass and Metal amongst them, they were satisfied with reasonable answers, and I received with all imaginable demonstrations of kindness, as offering of Sacrifice, a complement shewed only to such as they design particularly to honour: but they went further, and consulted their Godds whether they should not admit me into their Nation and Councils, and oblige me to stay amongst them by a Marriage with the Kings or some of their great Mens Daughters. But I, though with much a-do, waved their courtesie, and got my Pastport, having given my word to return to them within six months.

Sapon is within the limits of the Province of Carolina, and as you may perceive by the Figure, has all the attributes requisite to a pleasant and advantagious Seat; for though it stands high, and upon a dry land, it enjoyes the benefit of a stately River, and a rich Soyl, capable of producing many Commodities, which may hereafter render the Trade of it considerable.

Not far distant from hence, as I understood from the Nahyssan Indians, is their Kings Residence, called Pintahae, upon the same River, and happy in the same advantages both for pleasure and profit: which my curiosity would have led me to see, were I not bound, both by Oath and Commission, to a direct pursuance of my intended purpose of discovering a passage to the further side of the Moun∣tains.

This Nation is governed by an absolute Monarch; the People of a high stature, warlike and rich. I saw great store

of Pearl unbored in their little Temples, or Oratories, which they had won amongst other spoyls from the Indians of Florida, and hold in as great esteem as we do.

From hence, by the Indians instructions, I directed my course to Akenatzy, and Island bearing South & by West, and about fifty miles distant, upon a branch of the same Ri∣ver, from Sapon. The Countrey here, though high, is le∣vel, and for the most part a rich soyl, as I judged by the growth of the Trees; yet where it is inhabited by Indians, it lies open in spacious Plains, and is blessed with a very healthful Air, as appears by the age and vigour of the peo∣ple; and though I travelled in the month of June, the heat of the weather hindred me not from Riding at all hours without any great annoyance from the Sun. By easie jour∣neys I landed at Akenatzy upon the twelfth of June. The current of the River is here so strong, that my Horse had much difficulty to resist it; and I expected every step to be carried away with the stream.

This Island, though small, maintains many inhabitants, who are fix'd here in great security, being naturally fortified with Fastnesses of Mountains, and Water of every side. Up∣on the North-shore they yearly reap great crops of Corn, of which they always have a twelv••-months Provision afore∣hand, against an Invasion from their powerful Neighbours. Their Government is under two Kings, one presiding in Arms, the other in Hunting and Husbandry. They hold all things, except their Wives, in common; and their cu∣stome in eating is, that every man in his turn feasts all the rest; and he that makes the entertainment, is seated betwixt the two Kings; where having highly commended his own chear, they carve and distribute it amongst the guests.

At my arrival here, I met four stranger-Indians, whose Bodies were painted in various colours with figures of Ani∣mals whose likeness I had never seen: and by some dis∣course and signes which passed between us, I gathered that they were the only survivours of fifty, who set out together

in company from some great Island, as I conjecture, to the Northwest; for I understood that they crossed a great Wa∣ter, in which most of their party perished by tempest, the rest dying in the Marishes and Mountains by famine and hard weather, after a two-months travel by Land and Wa∣ter in quest of this Island of Akenatzy.

The most reasonable conjecture that I can frame out of this Relation, is, that these Indians might come from the Island of new Albion or California, from whence we may imagine some great arm of the Indian Ocean or Bay stretches into the Continent towards the Apalataean Mountains in the nature of a mid-land Sea, in which many of these Indians might have perished. To confirm my opinion in this point, I have heard several Indians testifie, that the Nation of Ricko∣hockans, who dwell not far to the Westward of the Apala∣taean Mountains, are seated upon a Land, as they term it, of great Waves; by which I suppose they mean the Sea-shore.

The next day after my arrival at Akenatzy, a Rickohockan Ambassadour, attended by five Indians, whose faces were co∣loured with Auripigmentum (in which Mineral these parts do much abound) was received, and that night invited to a Ball of their fashion; but in the height of their mirth and dancing, by a smoke contrived for that purpose, the Room was suddenly darkned, and for what cause I know not, the Rickohockan and his Retinue barbarously murthered. This struck me with such an affrightment, that the very next day, without taking my leave of them, I slunk away with my Indian Companion. Though the desire of inform∣ing my self further concerning some Minerals, as Auripig∣mentum, &c. which I there took special notice of, would have perswaded me to stay longer amongst them, had not the bloody example of their treachery to the Rickohockans frighted me away.

The fourteenth of June, pursuing a South-southwest course, sometimes by a beaten path, and sometimes over hills and

rocks, I was forc'd to take up my quarters in the Woods: for though the Oenock-Indians, whom I then sought, were not in a direct line above thirty odde miles distant from A∣kenatzy, yet the Ways were such, and obliged me to go so far about, that I reached not Oenock until the sixteenth. The Country here, by the industry of these Indians, is very open, and clear of wood. Their Town is built round a field, where in their Sports they exercise with so much la∣bour and violence, and in so great numbers, that I have seen the ground wet with the sweat that dropped from their bo∣dies: their chief Recreation is Slinging of stones. They are of mean stature and courage, covetous and thievish, in∣dustrious to earn a peny; and therefore hire themselves out to their neighbours, who employ them as Carryers or Por∣ters. They plant abundance of Grain, reap three Crops in a Summer, and out of their Granary supply all the adja∣cent parts. These and the Mountain-Indians build not their houses of Bark, but of Watling and Plaister. In Sum∣mer, the heat of the weather makes them chuse to lie abroad in the night under thin arbours of wilde Palm. Some hou∣ses they have of Reed and Bark; they build them generally round: to each house belongs a little hovel made like an oven, where they lay up their Corn and Mast, and keep it dry. They parch their Nuts and Acorns over the fire, to take away their rank Oyliness; which afterwards pressed, yeeld a milky liquor, and the Acorns an Amber-colour'd Oyl. In these, mingled together, they dip their Cakes at great Entertainments, and so serve them up to their guests as an extraordinary dainty. Their Government is Demo∣cratick; and the Sentences of their old men are received as Laws, or rather Oracles, by them.

Fourteen miles West-Southwest of the Oenocks, dwell the Shackory-Indians, upon a rich Soyl, and yet-abounding in Antimony, of which they shewed me considerable quanti∣ties. Finding them agree with the Oenocks in Customs and Manners, I made no stay here, but passing thorow their

Town, I travelled till the nineteenth of June; and then after a two days troublesome Journey thorow Thickets and Marish grounds, I arrived at Watary above fourty miles distant, and bearing West-Southwest to Shakor. This Nati∣on differs in Government from all the other Indians of these parts: for they are Slaves, rather then Subjects to their King. Their present Monarch is a grave man, and courteous to strangers: yet I could not without horrour behold his bar∣barous Superstition, in hiring three youths, and sending them forth to kill as many young women of their Enemies as they could light on, to serve his son, then newly dead, in the other world, as he vainly fancyed. These youths during my stay returned with skins torn off the heads and faces of three young girls, which they presented to his Majestie, and were by him gratefully received.

I departed from Watary the one and twentieth of June; and keeping a West-course for near thirty miles, I came to Sara: here I found the ways more level and easie. Sara is not far distant from the Mountains, which here lose their height, and change their course and name: for they run due West, and receive from the Spaniards the name of Suala. From these Mountains or Hills the Indians draw great quantities of Cinabar, with which beaten to powder they colour their faces: this Mineral is of a deeper Purple then Vermilion, and is the same which is in so much esteem amongst Physitians, being the first element of Quicksilver.

I did likewise, to my no small admiration, find hard cakes of white Salt amongst them: but whether they were made of Sea-water, or taken out of Salt-pits, I know not: but am apt to believe the later, because the Sea is so remote from them. Many other rich Commodities and Minerals there are undoubtedly in these parts, which if possessed by an in∣genious and industrious people, would be improved to vast advantages by Trade. But having tied my self up to things onely that I have seen in my Travels, I will deliver no Conjectures.

Lingua sile non est ultra narrabile quidquam.

These Indians are so indiscreetly fond of their children, that they will not chastise them for any mischief or inso∣lence. A little Boy had shot an Arrow thorow my body, had I not reconciled him to me with gifts: and all this an∣ger was, because I spurred my horse out of another Arrows way which he directed at him. This cause such a mutiny amongst the Youth of the Town, that the Seniors taking my horse and self into protection, had much ado (and that by intreaties and prayers, not commands) to appease them.

From Sara I kept a South-Southwest course until the five and twentieth of June, and then I reached Wisacky. This three-days march was more troublesome to me then all my travels besides: for the direct way which I took from Sara to Wisacky, is over a continued Marish over-grown with Reeds, from whose roots sprung knotty stumps as hard and sharp as Flint. I was forc'd to lead my horse most part of the way, and wonder that he was not either plunged in the Bogs, or lamed by those rugged knots.

This Nation is subject to a neighbour-King residing up∣on the bank of a great Lake called Ʋshery, invironed of all sides with Mountains, and Wisacky Marish; and therefore I will detain the Reader no longer with the discourse of them, because I comprehend them in that of Ʋshery.

The six and twentieth of June, having crossed a fresh River which runs into the Lake of Ʋshery, I came to the Town, which was more populous then any I had seen be∣fore in my March. The King dwells some three miles from it, and therefore I had no opportunity of seeing him the two nights which I stayed there. This Prince, though his Dominions are large and populous, is in continual fear of the Oustack-Indians seated on the opposite side of the Lake; a people so addicted to Arms, that even their wo∣men come into the field, and shoot Arrows over their hus∣bands

shoulders, who shield them with Leathern Targets. The men it seems should fight with Silver-Hatchets: for one of the Ʋsheryes told me they were of the same metal with the Pomel of my Sword. They are a cruel genera∣tion, and prey upon people, whom they either steal, or force away from the Ʋsheryes is Periago's, to sacrifice to their Idols. The Ʋshery-women delight much in feather-orna∣ments, of which they have great variety; but Peacocks in most esteem, because rare in those parts. They are reasona∣bly handsome, and have more of civility in their carriage then I observed in the other Nations with whom I conver∣sed; which is the reason that the men are more effeminate and lazie.

These miserable wretches are strangely infatuated with il∣lusions of the devil: it caused no small horrour in me, to see one of them wrythe his neck all on one side, foam at the mouth, stand bare-foot upon burning coals for near an hour, and then recovering his senses, leap out of the fire without hurt, or signe of any. This I was an eye-witness of.

The water of Ʋshery-lake seemed to my taste a little brackish; which I rather impute to some Mineral-waters which flow into it, then to any saltness it can take from the Sea, which we may reasonably suppose is a great way from it. Many pleasant Rivulets fall into it, and it is stored with great plenty of excellent fish. I judged it to be about ten leagues broad: for were not the other shore very high, it could not be discerned from Ʋshery. How far this Lake tends Westerly, or where it ends, I could neither learn or guess.

Here I made a days stay, to inform my self further in these Countries; and understood both from the Ʋsheries, and some Sara-Indians that came to trade with them, that two-days journey and a half from hence to the Southwest, a powerful Nation of Bearded men were seated, which I suppose to be the Spaniards, because the Indians never have any; it being an universal custom amongst them, to prevent

their growth, by plucking the young hair out by the roots. Westward lies a Government inhospitable to strangers; and to the North, over the Suala-mountains, lay the Rickohoc∣kans. I thought it not safe to venture my self amongst the Spaniards, lest taking me for a Spy, the would either make me away, or condemn me to a perpetual Slavery in their Mines. Therefore not thinking fit to proceed further, the eight and twentieth of June I faced about, and looked homewards.

To avoid Wisacky-Marish, I shaped my course Northeast; and after three days travel over hilly ways, where I met with no path or road, I fell into a barren Sandy desert, where I suffered miserably for want of water; the heat of the Summer having drunk all the Springs dry, and left no signe of any, but the Gravelly chanels in which they run: so that if now and then I had not found a standing Pool, which provident Nature set round with shady Oaks, to de∣fend it from the ardour of the Sun, my Indian companion, horse and self had certainly perished with thirst. In this distress we travelled till the twelfth of July, and then found the head of a River, which afterwards proved Eruco; in which we received not onely the comfort of a necessary and seasonable refreshment, but likewise the hopes of coming into a Country again where we might finde Game for food at least, if not discover some new Nation or People. Nor did our hopes fail us: for after we had crossed the River twice, we were led by it upon the fourteenth of July to the Town of Katearas, a place of great Indian Trade and Com∣merce, and chief Seat of the haughty Emperour of the Zoskiroro's, called Kackusara vulgarly K••••k••••••. His grim Majestie, upon ••••y first appearance, demanded my Gun and Shot; which I willingly parted with, to ransom my self out of his clutches▪ for he was the most proud imperious Barbarian that I met with in all my Marches. The people here at this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 seemed prepared for some extraordinary

Solemnity: for the men and the women of better sort had decked themselves very fine with pieces of bright Copper in their hair and ears, and about their arms and neck, which upon Festival occasions they use as an extraordinary brave∣ry: by which it should seem this Country is not without rich Mines of Copper. But I durst not stay to inform my self further in it, being jealous of some sudden mischief to∣wards me from Kaskous, his nature being bloudy, and pro∣voked upon any slight occasion.

Therefore leaving Katearas, I travelled through the Woods until the sixteenth, upon which I came to Ka∣witziokan, an Indian town upon a branch of Rorenoke-ri∣ver, which here I passed over, continuing my journey to Menchoerinck; and on the seventeenth departing from thence, I lay all night in the Woods, and the next morning betimes going by Natoway, I reached that evening Apama∣tuck in Virginia, where I was not a little overjoyed to see Christian faces again.

The third and last EXPEDITION, From the Falls of Rappahanock-River in Virginia, (due West) to the top of the Apalataean Mountains.

ON the twentieth of August 1670, Col. Catlet of Virgi∣nia and my self, with nine English Horse, and five In∣dians on foot, departed from the house of one Robert Tali∣fer, and that night reached the falls of Rappahanock-river, in Indian Mantepeuck.

The next day we passed it over where it divides into two

branches North and South, keeping the main branch North of us.

The three and twentieth we found it so shallow, that it onely wet our horses hoofs.

The four and twentieth we travelled thorow the Savanae amongst vast herds of Red and Fallow Deer which stood ga∣zing at us; and a little after, we came to the Promontories or Spurs of the Apalataean-mountains.

These Savanae are low grounds at the foot of the Apa∣lataeans, which all the Winter, Spring, and part of the Summer, lie under snow or water, when the snow is dissol∣ved, which falls down from the Mountains commonly a∣bout the beginning of June; and then their verdure is wonderful pleasant to the eye, especially of such as having travelled through the shade of the vast Forest, come out of a melancholy darkness of a sudden, into a clear and open skie. To heighten the beauty of these parts, the first Springs of most of those great Rivers which run into the Atlantick Ocean, or Cheseapeack Bay, do here break out, and in various branches interlace the flowry Meads, whose luxu∣rious herbage invites numerous herds of Red Deer (for their unusual largeness improperly termed Elks by ignorant peo∣ple) to feed. The right Elk, though very common in New Scotland, Canada, and those Northern parts, is never seen on this side of the Continent: for that which the Virginians call Elks, does not at all differ from the Red Deer of Eu∣rope, but in his dimensions, which are far greater: but yet the Elk in bigness does as far exceed them: their heads, or horns, are not very different; but the neck of the Elk is so short, that it hardly separates the head from the shoulders; which is the reason that they cannot feed upon level ground but by falling on their knees, though their heads be a yard∣long: therefore they commonly either brouse upon trees, or standing up to the belly in ponds or rivers feed upon the banks: their Cingles or tails are hardly three inches long. I have been told by a New-England-Gentleman, that the

lips and nostrils of this creature is the most delicious meat he ever tasted. As for the Red Deer we here treat of, I can∣not difference the taste of their flesh from those in Eu∣rope.

The six and twentieth of August we came to the Moun∣tains, where finding no horse-way up, we alighted, and left our horses with two or three Indians below, whilst we went up afoot. The ascent was so steep, the cold so intense, and we so tired, that having with much ado gained the top of one of the highest, we drank the Kings Health in Brandy, gave the Mountain His name, and agreed to return back again, having no encouragement from that prospect to pro∣ceed to a further discovery; since from hence we saw ano∣ther Mountain, bearing North and by West to us, of a pro∣digious height: for according to an observation of the di∣stance taken by Col. Catlet, it could not be less then fifty leagues from the place we stood upon.

Here was I stung in my sleep by a Mountain-spider; and had not an Indian suckt out the poyson, I had died: for re∣ceiving the hurt at the tip of one of my fingers, the venome shot up immediately into my shoulder, and so inflamed my side, that it is not possible to express my torment. The means used by my Physician, was first a small dose of Snake∣root-powder, which I took in a little water; and then ma∣king a kinde of Plaister of the same, applied it neer to the part affected: when he had done so, he swallowed some by way of Antidote himself, and suckt my fingers end so vio∣lently, that I felt the venome retire back from my side into my shoulder, and from thence down my arm: having thus sucked half a score times, and spit as often, I was eased of all my pain, and perfectly recovered. I thought I had been bit by a Rattle-snake, for I saw not what hurt me: but the Indian found by the wound, and the effects of it, that it was given by a Spider, one of which he shewed me the next day: it is not unlike our great blue Spider, onely it is some∣what longer. I suppose the nature of his poyson to be much like that of the Tarantula.

I being thus beyond my hopes and expectation restored to my self, we unanimously agreed to return back, seeing no possibility of passing through the Mountains: and find∣ing our Indians with our horses in the place where we left them, we rode homewards without making any further Discovery.

CONjECTURES of the Land beyond the Apalataean Mountains.

THey are certainly in a great errour, who imagine that the Continent of North-America is but eight or ten days journey over from the Atlantick to the Indian Ocean: which all reasonable men must acknowledge, if they consi∣der that Sir Francis Drake kept a West-Northwest course from Cape Mendocino to California. Nevertheless, by what I gathered from the stranger Indians at Akenatzy of their Voyage by Sea to the very Mountains from a far distant Northwest Country, I am brought over to their opinion who think that the Indian Ocean does stretch an Arm or Bay from California into the Continent as far as the Apala∣taean Mountains, answerable to the Gulfs of Florida and Mexico on this side. Yet I am far from believing with some, that such great and Navigable Rivers are to be found on the other side the Apalataeans falling into the Indian Ocean, as those which run from them to the Eastward. My first reason is derived from the knowledge and experience we already have of South-America, whose Andes send the greatest Rivers in the world (as the Amazones and Rio de la Plata, &c.) into the Atlantick, but none at all into the Pacifique Sea. Another Argument is, that all our Water∣fowl which delight in Lakes and Rivers, as Swans, Geese,

Ducks, &c. come over the Mountains from the Lake of Canada, when it is frozen over every Winter, to our fresh Rivers; which they would never do, could they finde any on the other side of the Apalataeans.

INSTRUCTIONS to such as shall march upon Discoveries into the North-American Continent.

TWo breaches there are in the Apalataean Mountains, o∣pening a passage into the Western parts of the Conti∣nent. One, as I am informed by Indians, at a place called Zynodoa, to the Norward; the other at Sara, where I have been my self: but the way thither being thorow a vast Fo∣rest, where you seldom fall into any Road or Path, you must shape your course by a Compass; though some, for want of one, have taken their direction from the North-side of the trees, which is distinguished from the rest by quantities of thick Moss growing there. You will no meet with many hinderances on horseback in your passage to the Mountains, but where your course is interrupted by branches of the great Rivers, which in many places are not Fordable; and therefore if you be unprovided of means or strength to make a Bridge by felling trees across, you may be forced to go a great way about: in this respect company is necessary, but in others so inconvenient, that I would not advise a∣bove half a dozen, or ten at the most, to travel together; and of these, the major part Indians: for the Nations in your way are prone to jealousie and mischief towards Chri∣stians in a considerable Body, and as courteous and hearty to a few, from whom they apprehend no danger.

When you pass thorow an even level Country, where

you can take no particular remarks from hill or waters to guide your self by when you come back, you must not forget to notch the trees as you go along with your small Hatchet, that in your return you may know when you fall into the same way which you went. By this means you will be certain of the place you are in, and may govern your course homeward accordingly.

In stead of Bread, I used the meal of parched Mayz, i.e. Indian Wheat; which when I eat, I seasoned with a little Salt. This is both more portable and strengthning then Bis∣cuit, and will suffer no mouldiness by any weather. For other provisions, you may securely trust to your Gun, the Woods being full of Fallow, and Savanae of Red-Deer, be∣sides great variety of excellent Fowl, as wilde Turkeys, Pi∣geons, Partridges, Phesants, &c. But you must not forget to dry or barbecue some of these before you come to the Mountains: for upon them you will meet with no Game, except a few Bears.

Such as cannot lie on the ground, must be provided with light Hamacks, which hung in the trees, are more cool and pleasant then any bed whatsoever.

The Order and Discipline to be observed in this Expedi∣tion is, that an Indian Scout or two march as far before the rest of the company as they can in sight, both for the finding out provision, and discovery of Ambushes, if any should be laid by Enemies. Let your other Indians keep on the right and left hand, armed not onely with Guns, but Bills and Hatchets, to build small Arbours or Cottages of boughs and bark of trees, to shelter and defend you from the inju∣ries of the weather. At nights it is necessary to make great Fires round about the place where you take up your lodging, as well to scare Wild-beasts away, as to purifie the air. Neither must you fail to go the Round at the close of the evening: for then, and betimes in the morning, the In∣dians put all their designes in execution: in the night they never attempt any thing.

When in the remote parts you draw near to an Indian Town, you must by your Scouts inform your self whether they hold any correspondence with the Sasquesahanaughs: for to such you must give notice of your approach by a Gun; which amongst other Indians is to be avoided, because being ignorant of their use, it would affright and dispose them to some treacherous practice against you.

Being arrived at a Town, enter no house until you are in∣vited; and then seem not afraid to be led in pinion'd like a prisoner: for that is a Ceremony they use to friends and e∣nemies without distinction.

You must accept of an invitation from the Seniors, be∣fore that of young men; and refuse nothing that is offered or set afore you: for they are very jealous, and sensible of the least slighting or neglect from strangers, and mindful of Revenge.

Touching TRADE with Indians.

IF you barely designe a Home-trade with neighbour-Indi∣ans, for skins of Deer, Beaver, Otter, Wild-Cat, Fox, Racoon, &c. your best Truck is a sort of course Trading Cloth, of which a yard and a half makes a Matchcoat or Mantle fit for their wear; as also Axes, Hoes, Knives, Si∣zars, and all sorts of edg'd tools. Guns, Powder and Shot, &c. are Commodities they will greedily barter for: but to supply the Indians with Arms and Ammunition, is prohibited in all English Governments.

In dealing with the Indians, you must be positive and at a word: for if they perswade you to fall any thing in your price, they will spend time in higgling for further abate∣ments, and seldom conclude any Bargain. Sometimes you

may with Brandy or Strong liquor dispose them to an hu∣mour of giving you ten times the value of your commodi∣ty; and at other times they are so hide-bound, that they will not offer half the Market-price, especially if they be a∣ware that you have a designe to circumvent them with drink, or that they think you have a desire to their goods, which you must seem to slight and disparage.

To the remoter Indians you must carry other kinde of Truck, as small Looking-glasses, Pictures, Beads and Brace∣lets of glass, Knives, Sizars, and all manner of gaudy toys and knacks for children, which are light and portable. For they are apt to admire such trinkets, and will purchase them at any rate, either with their currant Coyn of small shells, which they call Roanoack or Peack, or perhaps with Pearl, Vermilion, pieces of Christal; and towards Ʋshery, with some odde pieces of Plate or Buillon, which they sometimes receive in Truck from the Oestacks.

Could I have foreseen when I set out, the advantages to be made by a Trade with those remote Indians, I had gone better provided; though perhaps I might have run a great hazard of my life, had I purchased considerably amongst them, by carrying wealth unguarded through so many dif∣ferent Nations of barbarous people: therefore it is vain for any man to propose to himself, or undertake a Trade at that distance, unless he goes with strength to defend, as well as an Adventure to purchase such Commodities: for in such a designe many ought to joyn and go in company.

Some pieces of Silver unwrought I purchased my self of the Ʋsheries, for no other end then to justifie this account I give of my Second Expedition, which had not determined at Ʋshery, were I accompanied with half a score resolute youths that would have stuck to me in a further discovery towards the Spanish Mines.

FINIS.