266 S P R I N G G A R D E N .
into M Rees's Lake," through a deep and broad channel, called Spring
Garden Creek. This channel is said to be in some places fully sixty feet
deep, but it becomes more shallow as you advance towards the entrance
of the lake, at which you are surprised to find yourself on a mud flat covered
only by about fifteen inches of water, under which the depositions
from the spring lie to a depth of four or five feet in the form of the softest
mud, while under this again is a bed of fine white sand. When this mud
is stirred up by the oars of your boat or otherwise, it appears of a dark
green colour, and smells strongly of sulphur. At all times it sends up
numerous bubbles of air, which probably consist of sulphuretted hydrogen
gas.
The mouth of this curious spring is calculated to be two and a half
feet square; and the velocity of its water, during the rainy season, is three
feet per second. This would render the discharge per hour about
499,500 gallons. Colonel REES showed us the remains of another spring
of the same kind, which had dried up from some natural cause.
My companion the Engineer having occupation for another day, I
requested Colonel REES to accompany me in his boat towards the River
St John, which I was desirous of seeing, as well as the curious country
in its neighbourhood. He readily agreed, and, after an early breakfast
next morning, we set out, accompanied by two servants to manage the
boat. As we crossed Rees's Lake, I observed that its north-eastern shores
were bounded by a deep swamp, covered by a rich growth of tall cypresses,
while the opposite side presented large marshes and islands ornamented
by pines, live-oaks, and orange trees. With the exception of a very
narrow channel, the creek was covered with nympheas, and in its waters
swam numerous alligators, while Ibises, Gallinules, Anhingas, Coots, and
Cormorants, were seen pursuing their avocations on its surface or along
its margins. Over our heads the Fish Hawks were sailing, and on the
broken trees around we saw many of their nests.
We followed Spring Garden Creek for about two miles and a half,
and passed a mud bar, before we entered " Dexter's Lake." The bar was
stuck full of unios in such profusion, that each time the Negroes thrust
their hands into the mud they took up several. According to their report,
these shellfish are quite unfit for food. In this lake the water had
changed its hue, and assumed a dark chestnut colour, although it was still
transparent. The depth was very uniformly five feet, and the extent of
the lake was about eight miles by three. Having crossed it, we followed
S P R I N G G A R D E N . 267
the creek, and soon saw the entrance of Woodruff's Lake, which empties
its still darker waters into the St John's River.
I here shot a pair of curious Ibises, which you will find described in my
fourth volume, and landed on a small island covered with wild orange trees,
the luxuriance and freshness of which were not less pleasing to the sight,
than the perfume of their flowers was to the smell. The group seemed
to me like a rich bouquet formed by nature to afford consolation to the
weary traveller, cast down by the dismal scenery of swamps, and pools,
and rank grass, around him. Under the shade of these beautiul evergreens,
and amidst the golden fruits that covered the ground, while the
humming birds fluttered over our heads, we spread our cloth on the grass,
and with a happy and thankful heart I refreshed myself with the bountiful
gifts of an ever-careful Providence. Colonel REES informed me that
this charming retreat was one of the numerous terra incognita of this
region of lakes, and that it should henceforth bear the name of " Audubon's
Isle."
In conclusion, let me inform you, that the spring has been turned to
good account by my generous host Colonel REES, who, aided by my amiable
companion the Engineer, has directed its current so as to turn a
mill, which suffices to grind the whole of his sugar cane.