This Day all of us had a Mind to have rested, but the Indian was much against it, alleging, That the Place we lay at, was not good to hunt in telling us, if we would go on, by Noon, he would bring us to a more convenient Place so we moved forwards, and about twelve a Clock came to the most amazing Prospect I had seen since I had been in Carolina we travelled by a Swamp-side, which Swamp I believe to be no less than twenty Miles over, the other Side being as far as I could well discern, there appearing great Ridges of Mountains, bearing from us W.N. We made our selves as merry as we could, having a good Supper with the Scraps of the Venison we had given us by the Indians, having kill’s 3 Teal and a Possum, which Medley all together made a curious Ragoo. The Weather was very cold, the Winds holding Northerly.
After two Hours Refreshment, we went on, and got that Day about twenty Miles we lay by a small swift Run of Water, which was paved at the Bottom with a Sort of Stone much like to Tripoli, and so light, that I fancied it would precipitate in no Stream, but where it naturally grew. Here we hired Santee Jack (a good Hunter, and a well-humored Fellow) to be our Pilot to the Congeree Indians we gave him a Stroud-water-Blew, to make his Wife an Indian Petticoat, who went with her Husband. Next Morning very early, we waded thro’ the Savanna, the Path lying there and about ten a Clock came to a hunting Quarter, of a great many Santees they made us all welcome showing a great deal of Joy at our coming, giving us barbecued Turkeys, Bear’s Oil, and Venison. Lawson recorded many aspects of Native American life and even noticed the progress of disease as it swept through native communities. John Lawson took detailed notes on the various peoples he encountered during his exploration of the Carolinas. John Lawson Encounters Native Americans, 1709
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