2«4 TRAVELS IN 
pair to this fatal fountain or receptacle., during the 
latter fummer feafon and autumn, when the power- 
iul fun beams have evaporated the waters off the 
javanna \ where thofe who are fo fortunate as to ef- 
fect a retreat into the conductor,, and efcape the de- 
vouring jaws of the fearful alligator and armed gar, 
defcend into the earth, through the wells and cavities 
or vaft perforations of the rocks, and from thence 
are conducted and carried away, by fecret fubterra- 
nean conduits and gloomy vaults, to other diftant 
lakes and rivers. And it does not appear impro- 
bable, but that in fome future day this yaft favanna 
or lake of waters in the winter feafon will be difco- 
vered to be in a great meafure filled with its finny 
inhabitants, who are ftrangers or adventurers from 
other lakes, ponds, and rivers, by fubterraneous rir 
vulets and communications to this rocky, dark door 
or outlet, whence they afcend to its furface, fpread 
over and people the winter lake, where they breed, 
increafe, and continue as long as it is under water ^ 
or during pleafure, for they aie at all feafons to be 
feen afccnding and descending through the rocks : 
but towards the autumn, when the waters have al- 
jnoft left the plains they then crowd to the fink in 
fuch multitudes, as at times to be feen prefling on 
in great banks into the bafon, being urged by pur- 
fuing bands of alligators and gar, and when entering 
the great bafon or fink, are fuddenly fallen upon by 
another army of the fame devouring enemies, lying 
in wait for them. Thoufands are driven on fhore, 
where they periih and rot in banks, which was evi- 
dent at the time I was there, the (tench being into- 
lerable, although then early in the fummer. There 
are three great doors or vent holes through the rocks 
in the fink, two near the centre and the other one 
near the rim, much higher up than the other two, 
which 
