31.}
On Saturday, the Indians brought in some Swans, and Geese,
which we had our Share of.
One of their Doctors took me to his Cabin,
and shew'd me a great Quantity of medicinal Drugs, the Produce of those Parts;
Relating their Qualities as to the Emunctories they work'd by,
and what great Maladies he had heal'd by them. This Evening,
came to us the Horses, with the Remainder of our Company, their Indian Guide
(who was a Youth of this Nation) having kill'd, in their Way, a very fat Doe,
Part of which they brought to us.
{Sunday.}
This day, the King sent out all his able Hunters, to kill Game
for a great Feast, that was to be kept at their Departure, from the Town,
which they offer'd to sell me for a small matter. That Piece of Ground,
with a little Trouble, would make an Englishman a most curious Settlement,
containing above a Mile square of rich Land. This Evening,
came down some Toteros, tall, likely Men, having great Plenty of Buffelos,
Elks, and Bears, with other sort of Deer amongst them,
which strong Food makes large, robust Bodies. Enquiring of them,
if they never got any of the Bezoar Stone, and giving them a Description
how it was found, the Indians told me, they had great plenty of it;
and ask'd me, What use I could make of it? I answer'd them,
That the white Men us'd it in Physick, and that I would buy some of them,
if they would get it against I came that way again. Thereupon, one of them
pull'd out a Leather-Pouch, wherein was some of it in Powder;
he was a notable Hunter, and affirm'd to me, That that Powder,
blown into the Eyes, strengthen'd the Sight and Brain exceedingly,
that being the most common Use they made of it. I bought, for 2 or 3 Flints,
a large Peach-Loaf, made up with a pleasant sort of Seed;
and this did us a singular Kindness, in our Journey. Near the Town,
within their clear'd Land, are several Bagnios, or Sweating-Houses,
made of Stone, in Shape like a large Oven. These they make much Use of;
especially, for any Pains in the Joints, got by Cold, or Travelling.
At Night, as we lay in our Beds, there arose the most violent N.W. Wind
I ever knew. The first Puff blew down all the Palisadoes that fortify'd
the Town; and I thought it would have blown us all into the River,
together with the Houses. Our one-ey'd King, who pretends much
to the Art of Conjuration, ran out in the most violent Hurry,
and in the Middle of the Town, fell to his Necromantick Practice;
tho' I thought he would have been blown away or kill'd,
before the Devil and he could have exchang'd half a dozen Words;
but in two Minutes, the Wind was ceas'd, and it became as great a Calm,
as ever I knew in my Life.
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