CREATURES OF MYSTERY 
5 
early dawn of creation hung like a pall over a newly created 
world such stream might have shifted its channel, cutting 
through to the east, leaving a short stretch of sand deposit 
on the west shore of the stream. Consequently, a single excep¬ 
tion would not necessarily disprove anything. 
On the west side of these streams is to be found rolling 
land, usually of clay formation, with steep cliffs marking the 
western boundaries of the channel. These cliffs show the effect 
of some invisible force not exerted upon the eastern side of 
the channel. One cannot see this mysterious force, but we do 
witness daily the effects of it—these cliffs are eternally caving 
in—toppling giant timber into the river channel—the waters 
of the raging stream is ever “scouring” the western banks of 
the river while the eastern banks remain free from the effects 
of such corroding force. Men have long wondered why. Oak, 
hickory, and other hardwood trees grow in profusion along 
the eastern boundaries, and the land is rolling in character. 
Such deposits of sand varies in width and depth, depending 
upon the size of the stream it fringes. Anyone taking the time 
and trouble to make a casual investigation by traveling east 
from such streams will observe that these sand deposits are 
gradually swallowed up in palmetto flats, ponds, and swamp 
lands which extend eastward for a distance of several miles 
from the shores of the larger rivers. These sand hills, unlike 
clay and heavier types of soil, do not adhere or form a cohesive 
substance, but like unto sugar, have a tendency to crawl when 
thoroughly wet. Consequently, as we approach the eastern 
borders of such sand deposits the land is practically level—the 
result of the combined influence of excessive rainfall and the 
power of gravitation. Finally such investigator, if he continue 
his course toward the east, will observe that he is coming out 
of the flat country and again entering the rolling clay hills. If 
one but possessed the power to reverse the time-keeping device 
of the universe for eons of time he would find the river stream 
under observation many miles in an eastward direction, par¬ 
alleling the channel it now follows. 
With such facts well established in the mind of the reader, 
it might prove profitable to visit the channel of some large 
