The Dismal Swamp and Lake Drummond, Early recollections | Page 5

getting late in the afternoon, and as he
expected to make an early start the next morning, he thought it best to
return to the camp, heading his boat in that direction he soon reached
the landing: having but a short distance to walk, we were not long in
reaching it. Mr. Woodward had gone out to inspect some lumber and it
was getting time for his return. We did not have long to wait. He soon
came in, and looking at my father's "Fish Gourd," remarked: "Neddie,
you have had fine sport; where did you catch so many such large
Frenchmen?" "Friend Jimmy," my father replied, "when I started my
first experiment was at the 'Forked Gum,' and I did not get a nibble. I
left it and stopped at the 'Stooping Pine' with the same success. I began
to think that I was fishing on the wrong moon." "Oh! Neddie," rejoined
Mr. Woodward, "there is nothing in the phases of the moon. You are
not a good fisherman. I can take you to the 'Forked Gum' and 'Stooping
Pine' and astonish you." "After leaving the 'Stooping Pine,'" continued
my father, "I made for the 'Three Cypresses,' and it was there that I
caught these fine perch." "Neddie," said Mr. Woodward, "you are not
such a bad fisherman after all. Your success would do credit to the
best." My father proposed to Mr. W. that we should have some of the
fish cleaned and cooked for supper. The necessary order being given, in
a short time a sufficient number were ready for the pan. A hot fire was
made of juniper logs, and frying of fish commenced. In a short time we

were told to get our shingles ready, that being the only kind of plate
used in the "Dismal Swamp." And it is a well known fact that fish eat
sweeter off a shingle than any plate on which it can be placed. The fish
were very fine and greatly enjoyed by all.
Supper being disposed of, a general conversation was indulged in about
the Lake and Swamp, but no one present could tell anything
satisfactory about the origin of the Lake. One idea was announced and
then another, throwing but little light upon the subject. "Tony" and
"Jim," the drivers of the skiff, were sitting near the embers nodding,
when Mr. Woodward, to have a little fun, said: "Tony, what is your
opinion of the origin of the Lake?"
CHAPTER IV.
ORIGIN OF THE LAKE DISCUSSED.
Old Uncle "Tony" made a rake in the embers with his pipe and said:
"Yas, sar; my 'pinion 'bout dat place, boss, am dat it was dug out." Here
Uncle Jim broke in. "What de matter wid you, Tony? How many
niggers do you 'spose 'twould take tu dig a hole big nuff tu hole all dat
water?" "Dats a fac, Jim," cried Uncle Tony, "I forgot 'bout de water."
"Well, Jim," queried Mr. Woodward, "how do you account for it?"
"Marse James," Uncle Jim sagely replied, "it 'pears to me dat somebody
got under de groun' and dig de dirt out and de water mashed it down."
"Jim," exclaimed Tony, "you am de biggist fool dat I ebber seed. How's
anybody gwine tu git under de groun' to dig. Whar's dey gwine tu put
de dirt, and whar is de water to cum fum to mash it down?" Yah, yah,
yah. "Go 'way nigger, I 'spec you bin mole huntin'." "Dat am fac', Tony,
I didn't tink 'bout dat," said Uncle Jim, with an apologetic and
crestfallen air. Here Tony gave his pipe another rake in the embers,
took a few puffs, and fell off his log fast asleep.
It was now getting late, and preparations were being made to put me to
bed, which was done by placing some hay on the floor of the camp and
spreading some bed clothing which we had brought along. The bed was

soon ready, and I was snugly placed upon it, although I could not go to
sleep, knowing that we were to go out early in the morning to see the
sun rise on the Lake. I was called at the first dawn of day and told to
get up: we soon had eaten our breakfast and everything made ready to
leave for the Lake. We soon reached the landing, finding our boat ready.
My father placed me in and getting in himself took up his paddle and
shoved off for a position in the Lake where we might see the great Orb
of Day bathe his face in the cloudy water of "Lake Drummond." We
did not have to wait long. By the glow of light that began to show just
under the eastern horizon, we were satisfied that our anticipations
would