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Himmarshee they called it, and it is still known by the white man's
translation, "New River."

Geologists say that it was an underground river running through
buried coral ridges, an outlet for the waters in the Everglades. An
ancient earthquake caused these rocks to collapse, and now waters rose
to form a river. Much of the enchantment and mystery still remain. Gray
moss hangs on the large oak and cypress trees that sway to touch the
quiet dark water. The banks are covered with ferns. Old yet ever new is
"Himmarshee," New River. (1)


THE GIRL WHO LOST HER FINGER

Once upon a time there was an old woman who lived by herself.
She was lonely and decided to adopt an orphan boy. The woman always
told the boy when he was young not to go to the East. As he grew older,
he became curious and one day slipped away to the East. He saw
nothing unusual and after walking beside a clear, clean creek for some
distance, returned home. The old woman was wise and knew what he
had done. She told him that now he was older he could go East, and
also told him what he would find.
The boy ran fast to the creek and found that his mother had told
him the truth. He found three girls bathing in the creek, their clothes on
the banks. Snatching their clothes, he climbed a tree.