UP THE CALOOSAHATCIIIE. 297 



quence, the river (Caloosaliatchie) was nearly two feet 

 lower than ever before known. Under ordinary con 

 ditions the river can be navigated to the rapids by a 

 stern-wheeler with a light draught of water. Above the 

 Caloosaliatchie telegraph station the wanderer can at 

 all times fill his frying-pan with luscious trout (bass). 

 Before leaving Philadelphia, Shipley & Son made for us 

 an eighteen-foot bamboo rod, which we found admirably 

 adapted to fishing in the streams visited. With such a 

 rod, and a few feet of line, the piscator can fish around 

 the tops, fallen logs, and lily-pads, without any danger 

 of fouling his bob or spinner. 



As we were anxious to reach the rapids at Fort 

 Thompson, the rising sun found us moving. Harry was 

 aft, using the setting pole, and Frank and I manufac 

 tured an ashen breeze. Then we ascended the tortuous 

 channel until night. Soon after camping we fancied 

 that we heard a dog bark, and having seen no chasing, 

 or evidence of settlement after leaving hospitable 

 &quot;Jerseydom,&quot; we were anxious to obtain information 

 regarding our whereabouts. To attract attention, I dis 

 charged my gun, and Frank followed with his revolver. 

 We listened, but no answer was returned. Early next 

 morning my attention was attracted by the cracking of 

 brush, and on looking shoreward, I noticed a white man 

 peeping through the bushes. I hailed him, and on 

 inquiry ascertained that his name was Cross, and that 

 he had recently settled on a point a short distance above. 

 He stated that he had heard the report of our fire-arms, 

 but fancied &quot; that it was the accursed Indians shooting, 

 and in consequence he had not slept during the night.&quot; 

 He expressed it as his opinion &quot;that they would rise, 

 and that another Indian war was in prospect.&quot; He 

 13* 



