Alabama, Georgia and Florida. 173 
immediately resolved to proceed for the place whence the noise seemed 
to come; and-soon came in sight of the incomparable fountain, and 
saw, with amazement, the floods rushing upwards many ‘feet high, and 
the expanding waters, which prevailed every way, spreading them- 
selves farand near. He at length concluded (he said) that the foun- 
tains of the deep were again broken up, and that an universal deluge had 
commenced ; and ipstantly turned about and fled to alarm the town, 
about nine miles distance: but before he could reach it, he met several 
of the inhabitants, who already alarmed by the nnusual noise, were 
hurrying on towards the place; upon which he returned with the In- 
dians, taking their stand on an eminence to watch its progress and the 
event. Itcontinued to jet and flow in this manner for several days, 
forming a large, rapid creek or river, descending and following the 
various courses and windings of the valley, for the distance of seven 
or eight miles, emptying itself into a vast savannah, where was a lake’ 
and sink which receivedtand gave vent to its waters. 
“ The fountain, however, gradually ceased to overflow, and fnnlly 
-withdrew itself beneath the common surface of the earth, leaving this 
capacious basin of waters, which, though continually near full, hath 
never since overflowed. There yet remains, and will, I suppose, re- 
main for ages, the dry bed of the river or canal, generally four, five, 
~ and six feet below the natural surface of the land; the perpendicular, 
ragged banks of which, on each side, show the different strata of the 
earth; and at places, where ridges or a swelling bank crossed and op- 
posed its course and fury, are vast heaps of fragments of rocks, white 
chalk stones, and pe bles, which were collected and thrown into the 
lateral vallies, unti] the main stream prevailed over and forced them 
aside, overflowing the levels and meadows, for some miles distance 
from the principal stream, on either side. We continued down the 
great vale, along its banks, quite to the savannah and lake where it 
vented itself, while its ancient subterravean channel was gradually 
opening which, I imagine, from some hidden event or cause had been 
choaked up, and which, we may suppose, was the immediate cause of 
the eruption.” p. 238, 
I have been the more particular in collecting the foregoing facts 
relative to the Hydrography of the Floridas, in order that it may be 
perceived how much interest attaches to the subject, and how much 
we yet stand in need of farther information. 
