EXPLORATIONS IN FLORIDA 19 



ally revived — the trees, one after another, fell under the 

 hatchet, and increased our fire — and in two hours I had the 

 pleasure of seeing cheerful faces again. 



Their predicament, however, was still serious, for, to 

 continue the narrative, they were 



confined in a large salt marsh, with rushes head high, and 

 miry; no provisions left, and fifteen miles from the house of 

 their host. 



Not a moment was to be lost, for I foresaw that the next 

 night would prove much colder still. The boat was manned 

 once more, and off through the mud we moved to double the 

 point, and enter the creek, of which I have spoken, with the 

 hope that in it we should find water enough to float her. It did 

 happen so, thank God ! As we once more saw our barque afloat, 

 our spirits rose, — and rose to such a pitch that we in fun set 

 fire to the whole marsh: crack, crack, crack! went the reeds, 

 with a rapid blaze. We saw the marsh rabbits, scampering 

 from the fire by the thousands, as we pulled our oars. 



Their pleasure in being afloat was short-lived, for 

 "the northeaster had well nigh emptied the creek of its 

 usual quantum of water," and they were again obliged 

 to wade to effect a landing, their object being to gain 

 the east Florida coast and thus make their escape. This 

 was finally attained after abandoning their boat, when 

 began a long tramp on the beach, in the teeth of the 

 wind, 



through sand that sent our feet back six inches at every step 

 of two feet that we made. Well, through this sand we all 

 waded, for many a long mile, picking up here and there a shell 

 that is nowhere else to be found, until we reached the landing 

 place of J. J. Bulow. Now, my heart, cheer up once more, for 

 the sake of my most kind host. ... I assure you, I was glad 

 to see him nearing his own comfortable roof; and as we saw 



