of the Protestant refugees, having purchased lands from the proprietors,
embarked with their families for that colony, and proved some of its best
and most industrious inhabitants.

[Sidenote] The European animals increase.

Small was the progress in cultivation which the colonists of Carolina had
yet made, and fatal had the heat of the climate and the labours of the
field proved to many of them. Yet their cattle increased in an amazing
manner, and thrived exceedingly well in their forest. Having little
winter, the woods furnished them with both shelter and provisions all the
year; neither houses nor attendants were provided for them, but each
planter's cattle, distinguished only by his mark, every where grazed with
freedom. Hogs still fared better, and increased faster. The woods
abounded with acorns, and roots of different kinds, on which they fed and
fattened, and were reckoned most excellent food. Stocks of cattle, at
this period, were a great object with the planters, for several reasons.
Little labour was requisite to raise and render them profitable. The
planters were at no trouble in building houses for them, nor at any
expence in feeding them. If either cattle or hogs were fed, it must only
have been intended to accustom them to keep nigh their owner's abode, or
to return under his eye every evening. Besides, a planter fond of hunting
might supply his family with game through the year, with which the woods
abounded, and save his stock. Horses were also bred in the same manner,
and though they degenerated greatly, they multiplied fast. No part of the
world could prove more favourable to poultry of all kinds. By the trade
of the colony to the West Indies, they had rum and sugar in return for
their lumber and provisions; and England supplied them with clothes,
arms, ammunition, and utensils for building and cultivation, in exchange
for their deer-skins, furs, and naval stores.