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Show ROCK ABBEY- INDIAN SPRINGS. 173 To the north, the rugged and rocky eminences gradually recede from the shore; to which, a few miles farther on, they again return in a superb semicircular sweep; forming a landscape in the highest degree picturesque and beautiful, to which nothing is wanting but trees. In the centre of the arc a fantastic mass of rock reared its gigantic outline against the sky, presenting from the camp a striking resemblance to an old ruined abbey, glowing and glistening in the rays of the setting sun. Immediately behind us rose a rounded knob, some two hundred feet in height, composed of one solid limestone rock, in the crevices of which grew, in graceful luxuriance, the everlasting bunch-grass, so characteristic, of this region. Upon the shore, among the boulders with which it was thickly strewn, I obtained some fine specimens of dark compact limestone, containing well- defined fossils of Cyathophyllum and Strepletasma. The shore party reached camp about dark. They reported finding abundance of the finest water at the head of the bay we had crossed to- day, which was easy of access. This was joyful news, as the water we were using was very brackish and nauseous- so much so as to impart a most disagreeable flavour to the strongest coffee. Wednesday, May 1.- The survey of the shore- line being in arrears some miles, I availed myself of the opportunity to overhaul the large boat, which was a miserable, lumbering affair, and make such alterations in her as would admit of more convenient and expeditious stowage of the baggage. This having been accomplished, I started in her for the watering- place. After rounding Flat- rock Point, the water was bold and deep to within a boat's length of the shore opposite the springs. I at once recognised the spot as being the same passed by me on horseback during my reconnoissance of the previous October. Several springs here gush out, fresh, clear, cold, and convenient to the shore. As I anticipated the necessity of frequent visits to this spot, for a supply of water for the party when engaged on the western side of the lake, all hands were at once set to work to run out a pier of stones, alongside of which the boat could lie without danger. This was soon done; some of the springs were cleared out and deepened, and the casks filled, when we returned to camp with a fine fresh breeze. In our progress we passed innumerable flocks of young ducks, which upon our approach dived beneath the surface and disappeared. The gnats have at this camp been almost |
