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.

After traversing a very delightful country, the party reached the _Chata
Uche_ river, which was betwixt three and four hundred yards in width.
They crossed it to _Uche_ town, situated on a vast plain. This, Mr.
Bartram observes, was the most compact and best situated Indian town he
had ever seen. The habitations were large and neatly built, having their
walls constructed of a wooden frame, then lathed and plastered inside
and out with a reddish, well-tempered clay or mortar, which gave them
the appearance of brick. Uche appeared to be populous and thriving. The
whole number of inhabitants was about fifteen hundred, of whom about
five hundred are gun-men or warriors.

Beyond this the travellers arrived at another Indian town called
_Apalachucla_, the capital of the Creek Indians. This place is sacred to
peace. No captives are here put to death, and no human blood is spilt.
And when a general peace is proposed, deputies from all the towns in the
confederacy assemble at this capital, in order to deliberate on the
subject. On the contrary, the great _Coweta_ town; about twelve miles
distant, is called the bloody town, for here the micos, chiefs, and
warriors assemble, when a general war is proposed; and here captives and
state malefactors are executed.

The caravan continued at Apalachucla about a week, for the purpose of
recruiting the strength of the horses, by turning them out into the
swamps to feed. After this, having repaired their equipage, and
replenished themselves with fresh supplies of provisi