Narrative of Bahama Expedition. hi 



l)eing disturbed. On this occasion the air above Bird Key 

 was fairly black with these birds, but they left the vicinity 

 entirely after a few shots were fired, and did not return at all 

 durin*^ our stay at the Tortugas. This conduct is in marked 

 contrast with that of the noddy tern, for instance, which seems 

 unusually slow to realize the danger incurred by the approach 

 of man. 



In the afternoon the barkentine '• Robert E. Patterson" cast 

 anchor not far from us, and later the pilot boat •• Sea Foam " 

 came from Key West, bringing the quarantine officer, Dr. 

 David R. Murra^•, and another batch of mail for us. Dr. 

 Murray could not relax the stringency of the quarantine laws 

 for our benefit, and insisted politelv, but firmly, that we should 

 bring the "Emily E.Johnson" up to the fumigating dock. 

 Through his friendly offices, however, our enforced stay at 

 the dreaded vellow^ fever detention station was rendered not 

 onl}' comfortable, but delightful. The old fort, no longer used 

 for militar}' purposes but onh* as a quarantine station, was 

 hospitably thrown open to our part}', and no pains were spared 

 to make us comfortable. The ladies of the expedition were 

 furnished with delightful quarters in rooms placed at their dis- 

 posal by Dr. Goodman, whose famih' was away. Commodious 

 quarters they were, especially when contrasted with those on 

 the schooner. Real beds with snowy linen proved a luxury, 

 while late periodicals, easy chairs and plenty of cool, fresh 

 water, were appreciated as only those who have been without 

 these comforts for several weeks can understand. 



Fort Jefferson is said to be tlie second fortification in 

 America in point of size. It was built before the war, and was 

 expected to be of service in commanding the entrance to the 

 Gulf from the Florida Straits. We were told that it had cost 

 the United States government fifteen nullion dollars, and yet 

 not one of the great guns which surmoimt tlie parapet and point 

 out of the embrasures below, has ever been fired with hostile 

 intent. No better example could be found of the fruitless cost 

 of war than this colossal and dismantled fort on the loneliest 

 of loneU' spots. Evervthing is going to rinn. The big guns 



