SUBTERRANEAN STREAMS. 331 



Returning, we tried the right-hand branch, and for half 

 a mile poled the Spray through reeds and lily-pads, 

 when we found the river to widen and deepen. We 

 soon reached the head of the stream, and found an 

 enchanting spot, one worthy of the pencil of an artist. 

 The basin of the spring of the Chisiowilski is about one 

 hundred feet in diameter, and the depth of the water in 

 the spring thirty-eight feet. The water is as pellucid as 

 air, and the most minute object can be plainly seen on 

 the clear white bottom. From appearances, the water 

 issued from an opening seven feet wide and four high. 

 Looking over the side of the boat, we noticed hundreds 

 of sheepshead, cavalli, bream, trout, and red and black 

 groupers swimming in the basin. Being disposed to 

 indulge in a fish supper, we went for the scaly customers, 

 but before our bait reached the bottom the fish left the 

 basin and disappeared in the subterranean channel. 

 Disliking to be defeated, I lashed three hooks to a single 

 gut, with the intention of hooking the fish in an unsports 

 manlike manner. Upon their return to the basin we 

 quietly dropped our snatch hook, but before it reached 

 the bottom the fish took their departure. We devoted 

 two hours to our piscatorial efforts, and succeeded in 

 capturing seven small fish. Here we were favored with 

 a drizzling rain-storm, lasting several hours, the first we 

 noticed from the day we left Cedar Keys. Leaving the 

 spring, we followed an old trail for a few hundred yards, 

 when we reached open piney woods. Here we met a 

 gentleman from Texas, who had left Texan northers 

 behind and located at this point. He was engaged in 

 the production of tropical fruits, and he appeared to be 

 favorably impresed with the climate. He assured us 

 that he could not be induced to return to his former 



