Page:Journal of the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Banks.djvu/256

198 completely cured. Our repast ended, we proceeded down the river again. At the mouth of it was a small Indian village, where we landed, and were most civilly received by the inhabitants, who treated us with hot cockles, or at least a small flat shell-fish (Tellina), which was most delicious food.

11th. An oyster bank was found in the river, about half a mile up, just above a small island which is covered at high water; here the long-boat was sent and soon returned deeply loaded with as good oysters as ever came from Colchester, and of about the same size. They were laid down under the booms, and employed the ship's company very well, who, I sincerely believe, did nothing but eat from the time they came on board till night, by which time a large part were expended. But this gave us no kind of uneasiness, since we well knew that not the boat only but the ship might be loaded in one tide almost, as they are dry at half ebb.

12th. We all went ashore to see an Indian fort, or heppah, in the neighbourhood, uncertain, however, what kind of a reception we should meet with, as they might be jealous about letting us into a place where all their valuable effects were probably lodged. We went to a bay where were two heppahs, and landed first near a small one, the most beautiful romantic thing I ever saw. It was built on a small rock detached from the main, and surrounded at high water; the top of this was fenced round with rails after their manner, but was not large enough to contain above five or six houses; the whole appeared totally inaccessible to any animal who was not furnished with wings, indeed, it was only approachable by one very narrow and steep path, but what made it most truly romantic was that much the greater part of it was hollowed out into an arch, which penetrated quite through it, the top being not less than twenty perpendicular yards above the water, which ran through it.

The inhabitants on our approach came down, and invited us to go in; but we refused, intending to visit a much larger and more perfect one about a mile off: we spent, however,