256 FLORIDA TRAVEL. 



furnish to parties desirous of entering the creek are as 

 follows : 



From the mouth of the Kissimmee river to Fish Eat 

 ing creek the course of the lake shore is south-west by 

 west, about thirty miles ; and from the mouth of the 

 creek the trend of the shore is south-south-east. The 

 bearings of the lake shore will guide the wanderer in 

 finding the entrance of the creek. North of the creek 

 less than one mile, a very large cypress will be noticed in 

 the lake, about six hundred feet from the shore. Owing 

 to the prevalence of easterly winds, the mouth of the 

 creek will probably be found obstructed by floating let 

 tuce, but the channel can be discovered by keeping near 

 the shore and sounding with a pole. To escape -the 

 difficulties attending the navigation of the creek (for two 

 and a half miles, beginning at the lake), in consequence 

 of the presence of lettuce, we would advise parties to take 

 to the marsh opposite the large cypress, and pursue south 

 west by w r est course, which will land them in the creek 

 above the obstruction ; in an ordinary state of water a boat 

 can be pushed through the saw-grass and lily-pads. 



Proceeding up the creek about five miles, an immense 

 mound will be noticed on the left bank. This has not 

 been opened to any extent, and if arehaeologically inclined 

 the tourist may amuse himself. Six miles above the 

 mound a ford will be discovered, and this point is named 

 Xew Fort Centre. By proceeding a few miles above the 

 crossing, the sportsman could camp on the banks of the 

 creek under the protecting branches of some huge live- 

 oak, and indulge in the best deer and turkey shooting in 

 the United States. The creek is noted for its numbers 

 of large trout (bass). 



The question of how to reach the Caloosahatchie will 



