Page:Surprising adventures of John Roach.pdf/11

 My ill treatment, change of diet, and constant exposure to the inclemency of the weather, which at that time was very rainy and tempestous soon threw me into a violent flux; which continued till I was nearly reduced to mere skeleton and seemed to be hastening to my eternal home. For though our chief was very skilful in medicine, and ever ready to act as a physician amongst his tribe; yet he seemed to take no notice of my wretched condition, till he perceived that a few days would probably have terminated my existence, inclining to preserve my life, that I might be of further service to the tribe, he then administered to me the powder of plantain, which had such an healing virtue, that it restored me to perfect health in a very short time.

These Indians are called the Woolaways, or flat-headed tribe. They consist of about fifty effective men, besides twice that number of women and children. They have no settled place of residence but daily wander about the extensive forest in which they reside. Killing the different kinds of creatures that it produces, for their sustenance. Yet they seem generally to confine their roving feet within the space of five or six days travel; which appears by their frequently returning to a few certain places which have become fear to them, either by affording good water, convenient sleeping places, or the like. But they dare not build themselves habitations, or confine themselves to any particular