The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-02-12

corning u.
James Foster. in Providence Journal
There are several great natural won
6ors I'm the Bahamas, but one stands
without a peer in the world. It is the
lake of Fire This lake Is body OF
salt water some 100 yards long by ~
broad. The phosphorescence is strong
ot all times, and a visit TO 1t under
proper conditions insures sight grand
or than any of natures fireworks eX-
cepting the volcano or the lightning,
and possessing a weird Fascination OF
its own.
II Is only of late years that the lake
has been noted as a show place. IL Is
located some distance from the city OF
Nassau. The natives do not say much
about it, as there is an underlying su-
perstition which makes 1t one or the
things about which they DO not care
TO talk. The story related by the mer-
chants of the island about the phos-
rhorescent lake is that II NUMBER Oh
wears ago one of the residents enlarged
this pond, cutting away the solid rock
"a make II of suitable size for a turtle
nursery. He had the idea that it would
he a profitable place in which to raise
turtles for market. The enterprise fail
ed. as the negroes said it would, and for
many years the place was deserted.
That is all there is definitely known
about it.
ISLANDS ONLY POND.
One peculiar feature about the pond
Is what is called the ocean hole, prob
ably a subterranean passage Connect
inc il with the ocean from which the
supply OF water may come. or late
wears n canal has been cut in the SOLID
rock tC the sea- thus lnsurng a plen-
tiful supply Of water. Another pecu-
liar feature about this lake Is that II
Is the only pond or sheet of water on
the island, for there are no rivers
brooks or streams of running water.
In fact, as the waters surrounding this
island are remarkable for their clear
quality. even so is this one pool re-
markable for the wonderful light which
its waters give forth when disturbed.
The natives do not care to 20 near
the lake of Fire" Yet on close ques-
tiGning they will give the stranger no
reason for their aversion. A traveller
asked one of the negroes who lived
within a mile of the spot If he knew
where it was. His answer was charac-
teristic: Never, no, sab. Never hear
of him, boss" On further questioning
he reluctantly admitted that he did
know, and directed the stranger to the
gate and the grounds that contain it.
The reason why the natives do not tell
the stranger about 1t may be surmised
from the account which was abstract
ed from an old Congo man with much
difficulty and after a liberal dose or
Santa Cruz spirits. In fact, it was only
when the old man was convinced that
the stranger knew and had heard part
Of the story from the "ObiZzo' man
that he would impart the story of the
"casSova."
NEGRO SUPERSTITION.
Obizzo, or witchcraft, is the under
lying vein of superstition that the
negro brought with him from Africa,
and still lives. He is not communi-
icative on this subject for he is keen
" sentitiVe to the ridiCule of stranG-
ers. Again, he realizes that in his
language and folk lore he possesses
something that the white man has not
and guards it with jealous care. To
see the "cassOva" is accounted bad
luck, except by the "obizzo man." one
born with cord" (cauD, for it pres
ages some fateful event in the life of
legend about the lake is that in the
early days of the island there was not
a pond or lake on it. Then the "cass-
ova" or white hog had his great battle
with the great snake. AS the great
snake possessed all wisdom and had
supernatural powers he was jealous
of the white hog and wished to lesson
his powers so he compounded magic
preparation of light which he intended
to smear over his enemy which would
make him visible to all eyes, for the
white hog is invisible to all except
the obizzo men. But the white hog
heard of the ruse and -evaded the wiles
of the great snake for many days.
Finally the great snake entrapped the
white hog and the two did battle. Dur
ing the conflict the great snake ac-
compllshed his purpose and smeared
the potion all over the white hog.
Then for long time the white hog
hid in the palm and palmetto. He
knew that he had lost the power OF
being invisible. After a time the great
obizzO man told the white hog if he
would make a lake Of water on the
island and wash in it, the light would
wash away and he would once more
be invisible. The lake of fire" is the
result.
The white hog dug out the cavity
and went through the ocean hole to the
sea 20 let the water in. He then
bathed three times in the lake, and
after that every third month he swan
across. The fire seen when the water
is disturbed is the result.
TIJEv