ſaid to have died of the Diſtemper in the Villages near them, which was a terrible thing to them.
On this they call’d a new Council, and now the Towns had no need to be afraid they ſhould ſettle near them, but on the contrary ſeveral Families of the poorer ſort of the Inhabitants quitted their Houſes, and built Hutts in the Foreſt after the ſame manner as they had done: But it was obſerv’d, that ſeveral of theſe poor People that had ſo remov’d, had the Sickneſs even in their Hutts or Booths; the Reaſon of which was plain, namely, not becauſe they removed into the Air, but becauſe they did not remove time enough, that is to ſay, nor till by openly converſing with the other People their Neighbours, they had the Diſtemper upon them, or, (as may be ſaid) among them,and ſo carry'd it about them whither they went: Or, (2.) Becauſe they were not careful enough after they were ſafely removed out of the Towns, not to come in again and mingle with the diſeaſed People.
But be it which of theſe it will, when our Travellers began to perceive that the Plague was not only in the Towns, but even in the Tents and Huts on the Foreſt near them, they began then not only to be afraid, but to think of decamping and removing; for had they ſtay’d, they wou’d ha’ been in manifeſt Danger of their Lives.
It is not to be wondered that they were greatly afflicted, as being obliged to quit the Place where they had been ſo kindly receiv’d, and where they had been treated with ſo much Humanity and Charity; but Neceſſity, and the hazard of Life, which they came out ſo far to preſerve, prevail’d with them, and they ſaw no Remedy. John however thought of a Remedy for their preſent Misfortune, namely, that he would firſt acquaint that Gentleman who was their principal Benefactor, with the Diſtreſs they were in, and to crave his Aſſiſtance and Advice.
