At Last,
Determining To Rest On The Other Side Of A Hill, Which We Saw Before Us;
When We Were
On the Top thereof, there appear'd to us such another delicious,
rapid Stream, as that of Sapona, having large Stones,
About the bigness of an ordinary House, lying up and down the River.
As the Wind blew very cold at N.W. and we were very weary, and hungry,
the Swiftness of the Current gave us some cause to fear; but, at last,
we concluded to venture over that Night. Accordingly, we stripp'd,
and with great Difficulty, (by God's Assistance) got safe
to the North-side of the famous Hau-River, by some called Reatkin;
the Indians differing in the Names of Places, according to their
several Nations. It is call'd Hau-River, from the Sissipahau Indians,
who dwell upon this Stream, which is one of the main Branches of Cape-Fair,
there being rich Land enough to contain some Thousands of Families;
for which Reason, I hope, in a short time, it will be planted.
This River is much such another as Sapona; both seeming to run a vast way
up the Country. Here is plenty of good Timber, and especially,
of a Scaly-bark'd Oak; And as there is Stone enough in both Rivers,
and the Land is extraordinary Rich, no Man that will be content
within the Bounds of Reason, can have any grounds to dislike it.
And they that are otherwise, are the best Neighbours, when farthest of.
{Sunday.}
As soon as it was day, we set out for the Achonechy-Town,
it being, by Estimation, 20 Miles off, which, I believe, is pretty exact.
We were got about half way, (meeting great Gangs of Turkies) when we saw,
at a Distance, 30 loaded Horses, coming on the Road, with four or five Men,
on other Jades, driving them. We charg'd our Piece, and went up to them:
Enquiring, whence they came from? They told us, from Virginia.
The leading Man's Name was Massey, who was born about Leeds
in Yorkshire. He ask'd, from whence we came? We told him.
Then he ask'd again, Whether we wanted any thing that he had? telling us,
we should be welcome to it. We accepted of Two Wheaten Biskets,
and a little Ammunition. He advised us, by all means,
to strike down the Country for Ronoack, and not think of Virginia,
because of the Sinnagers, of whom they were afraid, tho' so well arm'd,
and numerous. They persuaded us also, to call upon one Enoe Will,
as we went to Adshusheer, for that he would conduct us safe
among the English, giving him the Character of a very faithful Indian,
which we afterwards found true by Experience. The Virginia-Men
asking our Opinion of the Country we were then in? we told them,
it was a very pleasant one. They were all of the same Opinion, and affirm'd,
That they had never seen 20 Miles of such extraordinary rich Land,
lying all together, like that betwixt Hau-River and the Achonechy Town.
Having taken our Leaves of each other, we set forward; and the Country,
thro' which we pass'd, was so delightful, that it gave us
a great deal of Satisfaction.
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