The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-03-04

ct compass as to the way should go. Swim
ming rivers on the back of the pony is nothing
when you get used TO it, and fences, when
there are any, are just as easy passed as ''roll-
ing off log" Thanks to the lovely weather
and the better roads we soon leave far behind
ms the peninsula, and reach the central por-
ton of the state, where the surface of the
country differs so completely as TO almost lead
us tc believe that we had lost our way, and
had brought up in the billy portion of central
Georgia; but upon inquiry and quiet peep at
Washington Irving's "Woolfert S Roest, we
feel satisfied that the coast is ''hard by, and
also the part of the country am in search Of.
Meeting ''dirt eater" that is pot-belhed,
white headed Wakulla boy, addicted to the
habit of eating clay, inquire of him how far
is it to Wakuila Spring. SIT down by Uncle
Burt's."
'sWell, Buddy, who is Uncle Burt, and
where does he hve?'
'1Why. don't you know? He's dead now,
but Bill Duggar keeps the boat to carry folks
out on the spring. 1fyou'n keep this trail it
will carry YOU into the She'll Pint (point) road
which goes right by his house"
Thanking the boy for such definite informa-
ton, my pony and / take the trail for Bill
Duggar's. On our way we pass just at the
head Of rushing water, that we afterwards
found out was called the river sink. This
river sink runs between two high hills, about
a hundred yards apart. A large river eighty
feet deep bursts from one hill and the water
running at the fearful rate of mile minute
suddenly sinks or disappears into another.
We stopped a long while to gaze upon this
fearful torrent Itisnow fenced on both sides,
and danger signals without number meet the
eve. We we're told that several years ago, on
Sabbath day, white and colored man went
to this sink to battle. Fixing themselves a
spring board, they dived off, one directly after
the other, and were swept swiftly into eterni-
ty. Not returning to their homes, a search
was made for them, and the spring board, with
their clothing ON the bank was sufficient evil
dence of their fate.
Wakulla Spring situated in county Of the
same name, is certainly one of the greatest
natural euriosities of the state, and Will, in my
opinion, favorably compare in interest with
the Mammoth Cave or the great Niagara
Falls. Its only misfortune Is Its situation.
If could move it to almost any point OF &C
cess in the north or west, my fortune would
be assured.
Years ago, when Ponce de Leon was max
ing his researches in what was then the terri
tory of Florida. the Indians told him that
near the Gulf coast in that part of the state.
there was a spring. ''the fountain of youth,
in which. il an aged person bathed, he would
become Young again and when he came to Wa
kulla he NATURALLY concluded that il was the
fountain Of youth, but not fulfilling the prom
Use Of the Indian, he left il behind for more
valuable discoveries. To give a description
of this huge transparent body Of water, 80 that
the reader can fully realize its beauties, Is be-
yond the power of the pen or pencil, itmusi
be seen TO be appreciated. The spring rs large
L + IL. IL.
harbor Of Baltimore TO enter it. from the river
formed from its discharge of water, turn
around and 20 out again. Nestled in a valley
and completely surrounded by the most dense
foliage, covered with hanging moss, il pre-
SCENTS in its stiffness, wierd aud Wild appear
ance. Upon its bosom in n boat when the
atmosphere Is 1T rest, you seem suspended IN
the air. The bottom Is shaped like u saucer,
and at its greatest depth the line indicates
TWENTY-FIVE fathoms, or one hundred and thir-
ty-twO feet. The transparency Of the water Is
its greatest Curiosity Take bottle, hli il
with water, and let il sink to the bottom, and
you can read the printing on the label As
plainly as If you had IL in your hand. have
tied a small diamond ring to spool Of thread
and sunk II. At the bottom the diamond was
as clear aud beautiful as when il LEFT my hand
Prof Agassiz said, when on a visit 20 this
spring, that the magnifying properties IT the
water caused the object to always appear Of
the same size, as il descended 20 the bottom.
and that il was evident that the water came
through snbserraneap streams from the dead
lakes above Tallahassee. and were made trans
parent by the bed Of minerals, through which
:hey passed before bursting from the earth AZ
this point
Some miles further on, in a saltwater has
called .'SpriRg Greek, several more streams
Of water boil up from the earth. iou can see
the boiling surface plainly FROM the shorr.
Take N boat and row upon any of these
springs. and yoa can dip and drink pure fresh
water from the salty water Of the oeean.
Florida Is 50 silled with these freaks Of IA.
ture that It would take volumes TO describe
them, snd | am satisfied that no trip could
be taken that w0ald give cue a. the same
time more pleasure and profit than saddle
bag tour, through the seSni-rreasion 81 this
sSate. AZ orb NARYtASnER.
The freshmen al Dartmouth cclleee cele-
bFated Washington's Birthday BY taking an
excursion to Montreal, where ''eiaSs' sup
per was enjoyed When they were abou, to
take the train Tuesday evening Il vas diseov-
cred that Lucas, the young man who was to
be the orator Of the occasion. vas missing.
they went without him, and Wednesday morn.
ing the unfortunate youth turncd ap a. White
River Junction. He bad been captured BY
body Of masked s0ph0mares while passing
through ths college campus. hurried into o
sleigh which was IN waiting and driven %
White River Junction. Four Of the party &C
eompanied him, and after making him promise
not 20 divulge their names gave him fnuuey