Travels in North America, From Modern Writers: With Remarks and Observations; Exhibiting a Connected View of the Geography and Present State of that Quarter of the GlobeBingley, William
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Travels in North America, From Modern Writers: With Remarks and Observations; Exhibiting a Connected View of the Geography and Present State of that Quarter of the Globe
Bingley, William
Canada -- Description and travel; Mexico -- Description and travel; United States -- Description and travel
The Cherokees, besides the ball-play dance, have several others, equally
entertaining. The men, especially, exercise themselves in a variety of
gesticulations and capers, some of which are extremely ludicrous. They
have others of a martial kind, and others illustrative of the chase:
these seem to be somewhat of a tragical nature, in which they exhibit
astonishing feats of military prowess, masculine strength, and activity.
Indeed, all their dances and musical entertainments seem to be
theatrical exhibitions or plays, varied with comic, and sometimes
indecent interludes.
On the ensuing morning, Mr. Bartram set off on his return to Fort James;
and, two days afterwards, he again arrived at _Keowe_, where he
continued two or three days. In the environs of this place he observed
some very singular Indian antiquities. They each consisted of four flat
stones, two set on edge for the side, another closed one end, and a very
large flat stone was laid horizontally on the top. Mr. Bartram
conjectures that they must have been either altars for sacrifices, or
sepulchres.
This gentleman accompanied the traders to _Sinica_, where he continued
some time, employing himself in observations, and in making collections
of such things as were deserving of notice; and, not long afterwards, he
once more reached _Fort James_.
From this place he set out with a caravan, consisting of twenty men and
sixty horses. Their first day's journey was, for the most part, over
high gravelly ridges, and hills of considerable eminence. Many scarce
and interesting plants were discovered along the sides of the roads.
They passed several considerable creeks, branches of the _Ocone_, and,
on the first of July, encamped, on the banks of that river, in a
delightful grove. They forded the river at a place where it was about
two hundred and fifty yards wide. Subsequently they crossed the
_Oakmulge_ and _Flint rivers_. In many places they observed that the
soil was rich, and admirably adapted to every branch of agriculture and
grazing. The country was diversified with hills and dales, savannas, and
vast cane-meadows, and watered by innumerable rivulets and brooks.
During the day the horses were excessively tormented by flies of several
kinds, and the numbers of which were almost incredible. They formed,
around the caravan, a vast cloud, so thick as to obscure every distant
object. The heads, necks, and shoulders of the leading horses were
continually covered with blood, the consequence of the attacks of these
tormenting insects. Some of them were horse-flies, as large as
humble-bees; and others were different species of gnats and musquitoes.
During the day the heat was often intense.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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