otel being
built on piles out in the Lake, could be reached by a bridge starting
from the shore, with a sufficient number of draws, which, if left open
at night, would prevent snakes, bears, alligators, pole cats, etc.,
from entering the hotel. A strict watch will be kept, and if by
accident the draws should be left closed and an alligator, bear or
snake should enter the hotel, or should a snake be found coiled up in
bed with some sleeper, no alarm should be given, it might cause some
nervous person to jump overboard and be devoured by alligators,
snakes, etc. By giving notice at the office of the hotel these
annoyances would be removed with but little or no excitement. The
object of the company is to direct the attention of Northern invalids
to Lake Drummond and Magnolia Springs, the medicinal qualities of
whose waters have been tested and are pronounced to be superior to any
known in this country. After drinking of these waters all that you
have to do is to go to Lake Drummond, bathe in its waters and be
healed. You will then be prepared to hunt bears, quail, deer, etc., at
the Springs, and your sport will then commence. Before entering into
the hunt you will supply yourself with a pole cat arrangement, which
is furnished free by the company and will probably be of service to
you. It is not expected that you will engage in any bear hunt on your
first arrival, but will wait until you know something about the mode
of hunting them. It frequently happens on the hunt that you come in
contact with a rattlesnake. He will give you timely notice by
springing his rattles, which you will do well to heed. It is a
well-known fact that Northern invalids are not afraid of alligators,
bears, snakes, pole cats or any of the poisonous insects that infest
the Swamp and Lake. There are a few timid persons living near the
Lake, on the edge of the Swamp, who are sometimes driven out of their
houses by the appearance of bears and snakes, but they are few in
number, and seldom or ever visit the Lake. The great bug bear that
deter most of the visitors is the fear of snakes falling in the
gondola, as she passes along, from overhanging limbs of trees. If
passengers would keep in their state-rooms on the gondola, snakes
might fall into it and they would know nothing about it, as they would
be thrown out as soon as found. Lizzards sometimes run up the
pantaloons leg of some who are not on the lookout for such things; but
that causes a fellow to r