LAWSON’S
TRAVELS II
Next Morning, it proving delicate
Weather, three of us separated our¬
selves from the Horses, and the rest
of the Company, and went directly for
Sapona town. That day, we passed
through a delicious Country, (none
that I ever saw exceeds it.) We saw
fine bladed grass six foot high, along
the Banks of these pleasant Rivulets.
We passed by the Sepulchres of sev¬
eral slain Indians.
Coming that day about thirty Miles,
we reached the fertile and pleasant
Banks of Sapona River, whereon
stands the Indian Town and Fort. Nor
could all Europe afford a pleasanter
Stream, were it inhabited by Christians,
and cultivated by ingenious Hands.
These Indians live in a clear Field
about a Mile square, which they would
have sold me; because I talked some¬
times of coming into those Parts to live.
This most pleasant River may be
something broader than the Thames at
Kingston, keeping a continual pleasant
warbling Noise, with its reverberating
on the bright Marble Rocks. It is beau¬
tified with a numerous Train of Swans,
and other sorts of Water-Fowl, not
THE STATE. March 5. 1960
common, though extraordinary pleasing
to the Eye.
The forward Spring welcomed us
with her innumerable Train of small
Choristers, which inhabit those fair
Banks; the Hills redoubling and add¬
ing Sweetness to their melodious Tunes
by their shrill Echoes. One side of the
River is hemmed in with mountain)'
Ground, the other side proving as rich
as Soil to the Eye of a knowing Person
with us. as any this Western World can
afford.
We took up our Quarters at the
King’s Cabin, who was a good Friend
to the English, and had lost one of his
Eyes, in their Vindication. Being upon
his march towards the Appalatchc
Mountains, amongst a Nation of In¬
dians in their Way. there happened a
Difference, while they were measuring
of Gun-powder, and the Powder by ac¬
cident taking fire, blew out one of this
King's Eyes, and did a great deal more
Bcini! further excerpts from Ihc classic
travel diary of John Lawson, dcscribinc a
trip beyond the frontier in 1700.
mischief upon the spot. Yet this Sapona
King stood firmly to the Englishman’s
Interest, with whom he was in Com¬
pany, still siding with him against the
Indians. They were intended for the
South Sea, but were too much fatigued
by the vast Ridge of Mountains, though
they hit the right Passage; it being no
less than five day's Journey through a
Ledge of Rocky Hills and sandy
Desarts. And which is yet worse, there
is no Water, nor scarce a Bird to be
seen, during your Passage over these
barren Crags and Valleys. The Sapona
River proves to be the West Branch
of Cape-Fair, or Clarendon River,
whose Inlet with other Advantages,
makes it appear as noble a River to
plant a Colony in. as any I have met
withal.
The Sapona s had (about ten day be¬
fore we came thither) taken Five
Prisoners of the Sinnagers of Jennitos.
a Sorl of People that range several
thousands of Miles, making all Prey
they lay their Hands on. These are
feared by all the savage Nations I ever
was among, the Westward Indians
dreading their Approach. They are all
is
