UP THE CALOOSAHATCIIIE. 301 



miles when we found the channel to end in a broad 

 expanse of saw-grass. A careful examination revealed 

 about two inches of water and three of tenacious black 

 mud overlying the horizontal layer of limestone rock. 

 Pocketing our disappointment, we turned the bow of the 

 canoe campward. From our own observations, and from 

 such information as I could collect from cattle-raisers, 

 herdsmen, and Indians, I am convinced that my pre 

 conceived opinions are correct that the Caloosahatchie 

 river is the main outlet of Lake Okeechobee. I am sat 

 isfied that the lake is not more than eight miles in an 

 easterly direction from Fort Thompson, and that it 

 can be reached by a light flat-bottomed boat at an ordi 

 nary stage of water. The Indians would not explain 

 how the medicine man had transported his canoe from 

 the lake to the fort ; but as no other route exists, he 

 must have brought it by the course of the river before 

 the water became as low as we found it. 



On our return, we found Mr. Carlton and his two 

 friends ready to assist us in hauling our boat around the 

 rapids ; but as we had explored the river, we politely 

 declined accepting their kind assistance. Upon inquiry, 

 I found that Mr. Carlton had a wagon and a team of 

 bullocks, and my first idea was to transport the Spray 

 to Fish Eating creek, a distance of fourteen miles, 

 descend the creek, circumnavigate the lake, ascend the 

 Kissimmee, and return via the St. Johns river to Jack 

 sonville. Upon questioning Mr. C., I found that his 

 wagon was not broad enough for the Spray, and that 

 it would be necessary to construct a new pair of axletrees 

 for the purpose. The delay attending this arrangement, 

 and our short stock of provisions, induced us to abandon 

 it. Mr. Carlton had a pow-wow with the Indians, and 



