Not to Amuse My Readers Any Longer

This chapter retraces Huler’s thoughts about Lawson’s book, including Lawson’s collection of plants and insects that benefitted the history of science. Huler does not fail to mention his admiration for Lawson’s voyage with the Indians and their tradition. Lawson provides his opinion of slaves and considers Indians the freest People in the World. Lastly, Huler makes his last stop in Grifton listening to lectures and learning of traditional crafts. Huler closes his book with thoughts about Lawson’s death and reminiscences about the beauty of nature.

The Paths and the Rivers

This chapter examines Huler’s meeting with Dale Loberger who is interested in uncovering old roads in the Charlotte area. Together, they compare old maps and modern maps. During Huler’s and Loberger’s time together, they cook using modern tools and use modern technology to record their data. Huler recognizes that his purpose is not to do exactly what Lawson did, but to walk, talk to people, and look at the environment. Loberger advises Huler about surveying land and the math that will help determine old paths and lands. In Charlotte, Huler acknowledges the beauty of creeks but also addresses pollution. At the end of this chapter, Huler reflects on Lawson’s barbecue meal with the Indians. Huler, on the other hand, prefers sandwiches and fish.

Introduction

In the introduction, Huler outlines John Lawson’s background, journey to Carolina, and time spent documenting the life and culture of the natives he encountered. Also included are the locations and adventures in the Carolinas that lead to Lawson’s death. With Lawson as his muse, the author sets out on a journey to explore the Carolinas in hope of connecting to the world. Unlike Lawson, however, who documented his journey on paper, Huler records his adventure online through Instagram and writing blogs.

A Delicious Country

This chapter begins with Huler’s observations about the beauty of the country and his interest in the Keyauwee Indians Lawson wrote about in his journal. In the Keyauwee Town, Huler immerses himself in the archaeology findings at Caraway site. After his stop in Keyauwee, Huler meets with those who fell in love with Lawson. As Huler travels across the Haw River, he learns the geography that Lawson travelled upon and reflects on the friendships that Lawson created on his adventure. Lastly, Huler takes in the tribal tradition of the Occaneechi as Lawson did.

The Most Amazing Prospect

In this chapter, Huler travels on foot and camps in the way that Lawson did. Huler reflects on the beauty of nature as he walks Lawson’s trek. He records his sleeping schedule and describes his experience in the tent as rough but satisfying. Huler also explores South Carolina’s small towns and explores the history of the Revolutionary War through old revolutionary-era sites.

Spartina, Mon Amour

In this chapter, Huler canoes along a path similar to one Lawson took around the South Carolina coast. Huler discovers the environment and scenery of Lawson’s journey along the salted marsh rife with Spartina alterniflora, or marsh grass. Huler continues paddling across the Charleston Harbor through the tides, and to the mouth of the Santee, which he learns is not easy. Huler begins to appreciate the danger Lawson encountered while canoeing through the waves along the coast from Charleston to coastal communities and islands nearby. On the other hand, Huler learns to paddle and adventure through the wind despite exhaustion. Huler’s first journey ends with his stay at McClellanville.

A Bed in Bath, and Beyond

In this chapter, Huler reflects on Lawson’s adventures with the Indians, the danger of canoeing, and Lawson’s book. First, Huler comes across the Tar River where Lawson had spent a night with the Tuscaroras and noted that the people were starving. As Huler continues on his adventure, he takes his two son to canoe on the Pamlico River. Huler compares the dangers of canoeing with his sons to Lawson’s misadventures while canoeing in Charleston. Huler then recounts that Lawson left for London to publish his book after cofounding and surveying the North Carolina town known as Bath. Lawson then comes back to the Carolinas as a surveyor general and ends his journey as the first casualty of the Tuscarora War.

The Hanging Tree

This chapter covers Huler‘s journey to Salisbury and his interaction with people and their stories. He first introduces the Motor Speedway by observing his surroundings. Huler reflects on Dale Earnhardt’s statue and compares the legendary stock car racer to Lawson, who he hopes the Carolinas will come to love. As he continues his journey, he considers Lawson’s adventure up the Trading Path and his stay in the Saponas, where he encounters a fight between Indian tribes. Along Huler’s journey in Salisbury, he encounters a town whose residents are 85 percent African American and whose streets feature a number of empty houses. Huler tells his Lawson story to the people he meets there, including Mike, who tells him to see the hanging tree, a symbol for black residents. Huler describes the many Confederate flags he saw and a man he met who told him that the flag is not a symbolism of racism, but a representation that the Civil War was fought over something other than slavery.

The Anthropocene and the Catawba

This chapter explores Lawson’s observation of nature and the history of the Catawba. Huler reviews Lawson’s recordings of birds, particularly the Carolina parakeet and the passenger pigeon. During Huler’s stay in Catawba, he takes interest in the pottery displays at the Native American Studies Center. Huler compares the land from Lawson’s period to modern time and describes Lawson’s experience with the Indians there and their loss of territory.

The Corps’s Work Is Never Done

This chapter reviews Lawson’s adventure with the Santee Indians. During Lawson’s stay with the Santee, he learns of their customs and traditions, and even discovers a dark past. Huler emphasizes the slavery trade between the British and the Indians. Additionally, Lawson records his study of diseases such as syphilis, comparing Europe’s spread of syphilis to that in North American. In a reflection of Lawson’s period with the Santee, Huler visits the Santee tribe and Vice Chief Peggy Scott who tells him stories and of her appreciation for Lawson. She reflects on bettering her tribe and her appreciation for their traditions.