294 SOUTH-WEST FLORIDA. 



regretted that we could not visit our new-made acquaint 

 ance and discuss at his ingle-side the merits of the Cove 

 of Cork and the demerits of the Ould Head of Kinsalc ; 

 but the bareness (not of our exchequer) of our bread 

 box stimulated us to push ahead. After supper, we 

 fried a supply of sweet potatoes for the next day, and 

 left our water keg with the operator. At this point the 

 water was almost fresh, and we deemed it best to make 

 room in our crowded boat. 



Dr. McCallam s clearing being twenty miles farther 

 up the river, we made an early start the next morning 

 after our arrival. During the day we amused ourselves 

 beating and rowing up the tortuous channel. Above 

 the Caloosahatchie telegraph station the banks of the 

 river become higher, and are studded with live-oaks and 

 majestic palms. For miles in many places the banks 

 are nearly perpendicular, and range from ten to eighteen 

 feet high. On each bank, rich high hammocks extend 

 back from the river for a distance of one-quarter to one- 

 half a mile. Back of the hammocks rich pine land will 

 be found, and beyond this the open prairie country, 

 which will be described at some future time. Above the 

 telegraph station the intending emigrant will find an 

 admirable climate, excellent health, superior land, a 

 noble river, and everything to induce a man to settle. 

 The day is not far distant when this river will be bounded 

 with happy homes, orange groves, farm and tropical 

 productions, and the evidences of education, Christianity 

 and civilization. AVe have at various times visited 

 almost every portion of Florida, from the Appalachicola 

 to the Atlantic, and from the Gulf to the northern 

 boundary of the State, and we are forced to give this 

 section our unqualified recommendation as the most 



