The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1880-07-06

The following remarkable manuscript reached
our Office in very mysterious manner a few
days ago. We confess ourselves puzzled as to its
source, and more than puzzled to decide as to its
authenticity. We give il place in our columns.
hoping that before many more months pass by
the great mystery of the volcano will be solved
ED. FLoRiD1ANl
am an old man now, so old that l confess
take more pleasure in the affairs of the first part
of the century than do in the matters which
now have 90 much interest for my neighbors
and, as 1t cannot be long before 60 TO that ex-
perience in which all mysteries are explained, or
else sealed forever, feel induced by some iDflu-
ence which cannot resist to relate the great
mystery Of my life. Perhaps would keep longer
silence were it not that increasing infrmities ad-
mOnish me that the time mas come have
sometimes thought that ought TO have spoken
ere this, but ] have never recovered from the
effects If that mystery which has shaped ali my
life and left me now a lonely old man, for W hom
the few days which are now part of long ago
While passing a little group the other day
caught such words as unusual smoke" vol
cano," light was seen" never reached" and
instantly nearly three-quarters of century rolled
away from me, and was once more an actor in
the scene which am about TO relate May those
who are curious concerning Natures wonders
think well before they seek to force her conf
dence.
was on the Gulf coast engaged in something,
The nature OF which have forgotten; indeed,
one event stands out SO wildly that all the rest
seems enduring only, not living do not re-
member whether had finished my work, 5nt
one day suddenly made up my mind that
would try to find the cause of that smoke which
was as mysterious then as it is now. The two
men who were with me tried to dissuade me from
the attempt, but, after vain efforts, left me to the
solitude of the swamp.
should say that there has always been Pc
culiar charm for me in the loneliness of those
vast portions of wet lands which border the Gulf
They are not properly "swamps," but rather
high land not yet completed; the processes are
still going on which fit the bottom of the sea Cor
human habitation, and l seem to be ION familiar
terms with Nature when can stand with her
while she works. So felt no regret at being
alone, while raddled my light boat along the
waterway which grew more narrow and choked
as advanced. Sometimes fancied the huge
expresses looked threateningly down upon me,
but occasionally little knoll gave welcome
and kept on in good heart. knew that people
would laugh at me for attempting such a thing
alone, but, at the worst, could but add one more
to the company Of those who even yet are con-
tinually returning disappointed from that search
had taken the bearings of the smoke and
marked in my notebook each deviation; Do
gress was Of course slow, but slow as it was
reached point where must leave the boat
studied long over what was best 10 do; my COM
pass showed the correct direction, but my heart
failed me when saw the difficultiesof that way
Not far of there seemed to be kind of ridge or
rising ground, which did not pay much atten-
ton 10 at first, for it did not seem TO lead toward
the smoke. but the more thought the more felt
inclined to try that ridge-it seemed to be only
. choice between failures; and so, making up
into package those things which were absolutely
necessary, shonldered Il and commenced an
exceedingly difficult journey.
How long crept on do not know, l only re-
member that, tired, l fell down to sleep; but
whether each slumber was one night or r,ore
have no means Of knowing. During the FIRST
part frenzy kept me going, in the delirium OF
which nothing is distinct except the one passion
for progress. At times what have called the
ridge failed me, and struggled through water
and crawled over rooia 1t might have been
imagination, but when fell q. last exhausted
and senseless. thought could see glow family
lighting the dark thickness of the swamp
How long l lay unconscious do not know,
but could scarcely believe my returning senses.
felt warmth which was not Of the weather,
and saw light which was not of the ann.
would have sprung to my feet bat my limbs refused
their help, for not Ear from me was the soft ra-
dance Of that which had 50 much wished to
zee. was near the edge Of what appeared to
be depression Of the ground. Ike circular
basin, and near the centre was great light, which
was hardly fame, but rather rosy glow OF
varying brightness. While was siill saxing.wfap
and wondering. Iheard some one saying 10 Span
lab, . language wac then familiar with, - The
swamp was almost too much for yoa. stranger"
! then NOTICED that two men were sitting near
ons Of whom especially remember we'll. He
was apparently . Gpaniard. Or AZ spanish blood,
handsome but naughty. The other told me how
had been found almoss dead and had been car
sFied Into she presence ~ The volcenn ~ heir
help r0ss IND walked a. Il svsgy step was new
wnndes, was especially Aassxesi ii tie uu,aber
Il peopls nm 81 81 A,,ss, and ~ haylls for
dnn {rem m appe oEnrce ~ nenn'ihe n,innbsr
n - sglss ~ " a. M =