A New Voyage to Carolina | Page 7

these Islands. {Palmeto-trees.} The Palmeto-trees, whose
Leaves growing only on the Top of the Tree, in the Shape of a Fan, and
in a Cluster, like a Cabbage; this Tree in Carolina, when at its utmost
Growth, is about forty or fifty Foot in Height, and two Foot through:
It's worth mentioning, that the Growth of the Tree is not perceivable in
the Age of any Man, the Experiment having been often try'd in
Bermudas, and elsewhere, which shews the slow Growth of this
Vegitable, the Wood of it being porous and stringy, like some Canes;
the Leaves thereof the Bermudians make Womens Hats, Bokeets,
Baskets, and pretty Dressing-boxes, a great deal being transported to
Pensilvania, and other Northern Parts of America, (where they do not
grow) for the same Manufacture. The People of Carolina make of the
Fans of this Tree, Brooms very serviceable, to sweep their Houses
withal.
We took up our Lodging this Night with the Bermudian; our
Entertainment was very indifferent, there being no fresh Water to be
had on the Island.
The next Morning we set away thro' the Marshes; about Noon we
reach'd another Island, call'd Dix's Island, much like to the former, tho'
larger; there liv'd an honest Scot, who gave us the best Reception his
Dwelling afforded, being well provided of Oat-meal, and several other
Effects he had found on that Coast; which Goods belong'd to that
unfortunate Vessel, the Rising Sun, a Scotch Man of War, lately arriv'd
from the Istmus of Darien, and cast away near the Bar of Ashley River,
the September before, Capt. Gibson of Glasco then commanding her,
who, with above an hundred Men then on Board her, {Septem. 5. 1700.}
were every Soul drown'd in that terrible Gust which then happen'd;
most of the Corps being taken up, were carefully interr'd by Mr.

Graham, their Lieutenant, who happily was on Shore during the
Tempest.
After Dinner, we left our Scotch Landlord, and went that Night to the
North East Point of the Island: It being dark ere we got there, our
Canoe struck on a Sand near the Breakers, and were in great Danger of
our Lives, but (by God's Blessing) got off safe to the Shore, where we
lay all Night.
{Monday.} In the Morning we set forwards on our intended Voyage.
About two a Clock we got to Bulls Island, which is about thirty Miles
long, and hath a great Number of both Cattel and Hogs upon it; the
Cattel being very wild, and the Hogs very lean. These two last Islands
belong to one Colonel Cary, an Inhabitant of South Carolina. Although
it were Winter, yet we found such Swarms of Musketoes, and other
troblesome Insects, that we got but little Rest that Night.
{Tuesday.} The next Day we intended for a small Island on the other
Side of Sewee-Bay, which joining to these Islands, Shipping might
come to victual or careen; but there being such a Burden of those Flies,
that few or none cares to settle there; so the Stock thereon are run wild.
We were gotten about half Way to Racoon-Island, when there sprung
up a tart Gale at N.W. which put us in some Danger of being cast away,
the Bay being rough, and there running great Seas between the two
Islands, which are better than four Leagues asunder, a strong Current of
a Tide setting in and out, which made us turn Tail to it, and got our
Canoe right before the Wind, and came safe into a Creek that is joining
to the North End of Bulls Island. We sent our Indians to hunt, who
brought us two Deers, which were very poor, and their Maws full of
large Grubs.
{Wednesday.} On the Morrow we went and visited the Eastermost Side
of this Island, it joining to the Ocean, having very fair sandy Beeches,
pav'd with innumerable Sorts of curious pretty Shells, very pleasant to
the Eye. Amongst the rest, we found the Spanish Oyster-Shell, whence
come the Pearls. They are very large, and of a different Form from
other Oysters; their Colour much resembles the Tortoise-Shell, when it
is dress'd. There was left by the Tide several strange Species of a
muciligmous slimy Substance, though living, and very aptly mov'd at
their first Appearance; yet, being left on the dry Sand, (by the Beams of
the Sun) soon exhale and vanish.

At our Return to our Quarters, the Indians had kill'd two more Deer,
two wild Hogs, and three Racoons, all very lean, except the Racoons.
We had great Store of Oysters, Conks, and Clanns, a large Sort of
Cockles. These Parts being very well furnish'd with Shell-Fish, Turtle
of several Sorts, but few or none of the green, with other Sorts of
Salt-water Fish, and in the