CHAPTER XIII 

 ON THE BORDER OF THE GLADES 



PONCE DE LEON failed to find the 

 Fountain of Youth, but if he had ex- 

 plored Harney River where it meets the 

 Everglades he would have discovered the cave of 

 Somnus. Its Lethean waters give oblivion and 

 for two days after drinking of them we forgot 

 our purpose in coming to the river. Tarpon 

 were not spoken of and rods were not rigged. 

 The Camera-man and I paddled our light canoe 

 as if in a dream over sunny waters, through 

 flowering meadows, and around tiny keys with 

 which the Glades are dotted. 



We moved so silently that birds sat quietly on 

 their floating nests as we passed within a canoe 

 length of them, while long-legged herons stepped 

 aside with dignity, scorning to take refuge in 

 flight. Deer, crossing between keys, turned won- 



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