TRAVELS IN 
144 
half fur rounded this vaft fountain. A delightful 
ftream 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- 
fat off again down the river. 
My hofpitable friend, after fupplying me with ne- 
ceffaries, prevailed on me to accept of the company 
and affiftance of his purveyor, one day’s voyage 
down the river, whom I was to fet on fliore at a 
certain bluff, upwards of twenty miles below, but 
not above one third that diftance by land ; he was 
to be out in the forefts one day, on a hunt for tur- 
keys. 
The current of the river being here confined 
within its perpendicular banks, ran brifkly down: 
we cheerfully defcended the grand river St. Juan, 
enjoying enchanting profpedh. 
Before night we reached the deftined port, at a 
fpacious orange grove. Next morning we feparated, 
and I proceeded down the river. The profpedts on 
either hand are now pleafing, 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 Ely hum without a vifit. Behold the 
loud, fonorous, watchful favanna cranes (grus pra- 
tenfis) with muftcal clangor, in detached fquadrons. 
They fpread their light elaftic fail : at firft 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 fail to- 
gether as one bird ; now they mount aloft, gradually 
wheeling about; each fquadron performs its evolu- 
6 tions. 
