New-York tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1841-1842, 1841-08-26
From the Knickcrbockcr for August.
THE WAKULLA.

THE VANILLA.
SKETCH: CLERGYMAN
An editor Is supposed know thing, and therefore
you dear Mr. knickcrbocker need not be informed that
The WAKULLA is of the lions in Middle Florida but
the omniscence is accorded TO all who tweve
Il listen your wldc-sprcadng Instructions }
hope 1e say something about tor tier
benefit. So great lion ii, in the estimation OF the few
who have it, that confidently believe it will
many the country shall be rid ot
certain wild annas who mt present are rather anx
be caught, and who show great aptitude in
catching. The pursuit Of the picturesque in the enemy
country accompanied generally with much danger TO
entirely agreeable; and therefore, until the Semnoes
safely shut up the great menasenc the other side OF
the Mississippi hardly hope that many of your read
will be induced seek for great curiosity al
the hazard of their lives
Having heard much in its praise sailed fine
September morning, in company with officers of the
arrnv and made of the Tallahassee railroad get
miles the spot. At the Steam Mill rather
the place where the mill had been, and where, until
consumed it used utter such measured and senc-
the listening pines met by appointment the
commander of ncghbong post who had some fine horses
waiting for and wagon ard guard iarryIng Tor the
specie which companions had in charge.
Leaving the specie and the their leisure
mounted horses and confding in their spirit, and the
pistols of leader, struck the country for Fort
Stansbury the place appointed FOR rendezvous. This
found be desirable residence than COULD have
expected 1t large loghouse erected by unior
proprietor whom the indians had long ago expelled
and under the hands OF the officers had acquired APP
stanal comfort. OF course am speaking comparatively
do not wish to have understood that in winter or III
rainy weather would find much protection under
50 open to the skyey Influences from logs which lie
invtngy agapc for the wind but the day
approached it, hailed the shadow OF great rock
in weary land There fine breeze stirring the
branches of the lofty pines and yet fiery beamng down
from the heavens and do remember when have been
more comfortable than when | fairly seated in that
rough old house. with hat and Off and nothing do but
get cool
By the had effected this desirable object and od
inspected all the improvements ot OUT host the specie had
arrived, and the mustered for payment This
proceeding which had never witnessed and there
fore beside the privilege afforded of looking geld and
silver, which is much enjoyed nowa-days inter
ested in watching the conncnanccs o the soldiers they
called up the table receive their pay. With the
exception of very few, who looked if they could keep
what they got, they seemed very little about it,
and gather the shining dross into their fists with much
Floridan would scoop UP sand shells
This having been accomplished the satisfaction of all
cerncd again took up line of march; our leader
mounted noble stccd with eye of FIRE; Major W
bestridng smaller horse called Buster who had most
peculiarly busy look when he in motion; Mr. C
riding rather ard-trottng animal and bringing up the
upon cidevant racchore OF the Georgia turf We
had two mounted men with muSkets IN our company and
eight soldiers had been ahead make their foot
to the Wakula.
On our wav we crossed one of the hara,aockS witt,
which this country abound. Although it midday
above the thick and clustering vines made 1t twlsh
for US; and was impossible avoid casting an anxious
look around upon every side horses stumbled and
spa.hed along through Semi-ud partly roots ard
decaved logs partly the blacklist OF mud and the drcs
of water. For about mile, however, mere tou-
nate and Jackson's trail being in way, had the
pleasure of following in the footsteps of ustrious pre-
decessor. From this however, unlike Mr. Van Buren,, we
were compelled by necessity dvergc; and having ovcra-
ken our vanguard proceeded cisurely with them
on our way, until we reached the river
Arrived upon the bank found the high that
the boat least twenty yards from the natural shore,
and thick grove of cypress and juniper intervening.
that could possibly be brought As the mou-
tain would US like Mahomet we concluded 10
20 IL after much curvetting the part OF the horses
and much coaxng part succeeded getting them
enough leap into the boat and leaving the soldiers 10
hold them, we launched cut into the deep
Here must pause remark how sinsuary the mind OF
an orderly man will act. When | above, The WA
intended my description precisely nj
the time and place where and when we lett the horses o
the boat but then occurred how unnatural II would
appear Tor sc mounted ana IN the woods without rS
telling where FROM and for what. Every reader
would inquire Who youl'-' what were You doing
there etc. Some writers commence at aedtdS res,
and make their heroes ii they uPstart and
make their story flow broken into cataractS,
and all sorts OF irregularities. But have such talent.
must have my aniccedcnts begin with the begin
ming aud free that have not felt comtorta-
Die since commenced this narrative because failed to
hat was walked O'Clock by sleepy scrvan,
and cut my face by shaving IN too hurry say
thing of Scading my mouth with hot coffee and after ALL
bear barely in time for the railroad car.
If auy case could be induced from NV REGULAR
habits, and upon abupnes 1t surely would the
present. Tor more Irregular unreasonable and accountu-
Bile theme no happened upon before. Picture to
yourself RIVER eaping OF the earth single bound
and running of like mad current quarter of mile
wide and at the of four knots hour Aud although
Your imaginary painting will far short of The real
vet ii will excite in YOU something OF the wonder viii, which
one actuaIy beholds The VANILLA
Our first when shot out from the reeds and
bushes which skirt the Margin were those of great dizziness
The pure and clear that tet suspended IN St
air. and chung 70 the boat very much may suppose Al
acronaut finds himself cinging when in his submest flights
Tho air above You is scarcely transparent than The
water below the thin shadows of the clouds thrown
hundred feet below you and spread the bottom OF the
spring; and the image OF your boat is carried down with
perfect fidelity and with and rudder looks ike some