EAST-FLORIDA 225 



the shore, like divers other similar small craft we had 

 in sight. Of conveniences on such small vessels there 

 are few or none ; only fine weather and a short voyage 

 can make them bearable. Being out of sight of land, 

 but not more than 15-20 sea-miles distant, we were 

 entertained by the company of numerous water-fowl, 

 dolphins, and medusae. 



We sailed along the coast of Georgia, seeing noth- 

 ing more of the land than .the haze above it, or what 

 mariners call the ' loom of the land.' On the third day 

 (the nth of March) we neared the coast of Florida, 

 and in the evening found ourselves opposite the river 

 St. John's, 30 miles north of Augustin. It was ebb- 

 tide and the water coming from the mouth of the river 

 could be remarked for several miles, by its muddy, 

 darker color ; the greener, clearer water of the ocean 

 is set off in a line almost straight. This is the only 

 considerable river of East Florida, if it can be called 

 a river, for there is so little fall in its course that with 

 spring-tides and east winds its waters are salt almost 

 to their source, but often, under opposite circum- 

 stances, sweet out into the ocean; generally however 

 there is very little current at its mouth, and hardly any 

 motion is to be observed. The stream reaches deep 

 into the country, is ordinarily about an English mile 



against all dangers of the sea, even in little open boats ; from 

 Georgia one can continue the voyage in a similar way to 

 Florida. This is called the inland-passage. Moreover, con- 

 siderable shalops can take this course, if in the bad season 

 they wish to avoid the ocean, putting in to land every night. 

 The voyage is indeed longer, from the many turns and the 

 uncertain winds, but it is safer. Also from South to North 

 Carolina there is for a good distance the same facility. 



