A New Voyage to Carolina | Page 9

hurry'd into the other World before their Time, as themselves
oftentimes will confess. The Indians, I was now speaking of, were not
content with the common Enemies that lessen and destroy their
Country-men, but invented an infallible Stratagem to purge their Tribe,
and reduce their Multitude into far less Numbers. Their Contrivance
was thus, as a Trader amongst them inform'd me.
They seeing several Ships coming in, to bring the English Supplies
from Old England, one chief Part of their Cargo being for a Trade with
the Indians, some of the craftiest of them had observ'd, that the Ships
came always in at one Place, which made them very confident that Way
was the exact Road to England; and seeing so many Ships come thence,
they believ'd it could not be far thither, esteeming the English that were
among them, no better than Cheats, and thought, if they could carry the
Skins and Furs they got, themselves to England, which were inhabited
with a better Sort of People than those sent amongst them, that then
they should purchase twenty times the Value for every Pelt they sold
Abroad, in Consideration of what Rates they sold for at Home. The
intended Barter was exceeding well approv'd of, and after a general
Consultation of the ablest Heads amongst them, it was, `Nemine
Contradicente', agreed upon, immediately to make an Addition of their
Fleet, by building more Canoes, and those to be of the best Sort, and
biggest Size, as fit for their intended Discovery. Some Indians were
employ'd about making the Canoes, others to hunting, every one to the
Post he was most fit for, all Endeavours tending towards an able Fleet
and Cargo for Europe. The Affair was carry'd on with a great deal of
Secrecy and Expedition, so as in a small Time they had gotten a Navy,
Loading, Provisions, and Hands ready to set Sail, leaving only the Old,
Impotent, and Minors at Home, 'till their successful Return. {They
never hearing more of their Fleet.} The Wind presenting, they set up
their Mat-Sails, and were scarce out of Sight, when there rose a
Tempest, which it's suppos'd carry'd one Part of these Indian Merchants,
by Way of the other World, whilst the others were taken up at Sea by
an English Ship, and sold for Slaves to the Islands. The Remainder are
better satisfy'd with their Imbecilities in such an Undertaking, nothing

affronting them more, than to rehearse their Voyage to England.
There being a strong Current in Santee-River, caus'd us to make small
Way with our Oars. With hard Rowing, we got that Night to Mons.
Eugee's House, which stands about fifteen Miles up the River, being
the first Christian dwelling we met withal in that Settlement, and were
very courteously receiv'd by him and his Wife.
Many of the French follow a Trade with the Indians, living very
conveniently for that Interest. There is about seventy Families seated
on this River, who live as decently and happily, as any Planters in these
Southward Parts of America. The French being a temperate industrious
People, some of them bringing very little of Effects, yet by their
Endeavours and mutual Assistance amongst themselves, (which is
highly to be commended) have out-stript our English, who brought
with 'em larger Fortunes, though (as it seems) less endeavour to
manage their Talent to the best Advantage. 'Tis admirable to see what
Time and Industry will (with God's Blessing) effect. Carolina affording
many strange Revolutions in the Age of a Man, daily Instances
presenting themselves to our View, of so many, from despicable
Beginnings, which in a short Time arrive to very splended Conditions.
Here Propriety hath a large Scope, there being no strict Laws to bind
our Privileges. A Quest after Game, being as freely and peremptorily
enjoy'd by the meanest Planter, as he that is the highest in Dignity, or
wealthiest in the Province. Deer, and other Game that are naturally wild,
being not immur'd, or preserv'd within Boundaries, to satisfy the
Appetite of the Rich alone. A poor Labourer, that is Master of his Gun,
&c. hath as good a Claim to have continu'd Coarses of Delicacies
crouded upon his Table, as he that is Master of a greater Purse.
We lay all that Night at Mons. Eugee's, and the next Morning set out
farther, to go the Remainder of our Voyage by Land: At ten a Clock we
pass'd over a narrow, deep Swamp, having left the three Indian Men
and one Woman, that had pilotted the Canoe from Ashly-River, having
hir'd a Sewee-Indian, a tall, lusty Fellow, who carry'd a Pack of our
Cloaths, of great Weight; notwithstanding his Burden, we had much
a-do to keep pace with him. At Noon we came up with several French
Plantations, meeting with