1 
144 TRAVELS IN 
h-alf furrounded this vaft fountain. A delightful 
ffcream of cool falubrious water iffues from the ridge, 
meandering along, and entering the creek juft below 
the bafon. I returned in the evening, and next day 
let off again down the river. 
My hofpitable friend, after fupplying me with ne- 
ceffaries, prevailed on me to accept of the company 
and afliftance of his purveyor, one day's voyage 
down the river, whom I was to fet on more at a 
certain bluff, upwards of twenty miles below, but 
nor. above one third that diftance by land ; he was 
to be out in the forelts one day, on a hunt for tur- 
keys. 
The current of the river being here confined 
within its perpendicular banks, ran brilkly down : 
we cheerfully defcended the grand river St. Juan^ 
enjoying enchanting profpe&s. 
Before night we reached the deftined port, at a 
fpacious orange grove. Next morning we feparated, 
and I proceeded down the river. The profpe&s on 
either hand are now pleafmg, and I view them at 
leifure, and without toil or dread. 
Induced by the beautiful appearance of the green 
meadows, which open to the Eaftward, I determined 
not to pafs this Elyfmm without a vilit. Behold the 
loud, fonorous, watchful favanna cranes (grus pra- 
tenfis) with mufical clangor, in detached fquadrons. 
They fpread their light elaftic fail : at firfl they- 
move from the earth heavy and flow ; they labour 
and beat the denfe air ; they form the line with wide 
extended wings, tip to tip ; they all rife^ and fall to- 
gether as one bird ; now they mount aloft, gradually 
wheeling abgut j each fquadron performs its evolu- 
tions 
