272 WILD SPORTS IN THE SOUTH. 



other lesser sandy keys blinking in the sunshine ; nearer, 

 the low tangled islands upreared their winter verdure, 

 save when the magnolias or pines interpersed their green 

 domes, or the gaudy creepers blotched them with scarlet. 

 Long flocks of ducks crept along the horizon, or swam in 

 nearer clumps; but it was for none of these the hunter 

 Avas watching. At length from behind an island, that 

 had momentarily hid the view, a canoe, impelled by a 

 single paddler, glided over the water, apparently making 

 for the place where the hunter stood. Mike returned to 

 his canoe, and paddled to the point of the island where 

 an old tree, undermined by the water, had fallen over 

 with its load of vines and moss, and then pulled his boat 

 under its shelter until it was completely invisible from 

 any spot but the water in front. The canoe that was 

 approaching from beyond soon reached the end of the 

 island, on the side opposite to the one where Mike was 

 concealed, and a young Seminole stepped to the shore, 

 and crouching on one knee, cautiously peered around 

 the point. A moment's survey satisfied him, and return- 

 ing to his canoe he paddled on as rapidly as before, and 

 turning the point of the island continued his course down 

 the channel where our boats had passed, and where 

 Mike lay concealed. He was dressed in buckskin 

 breeches and moccasins ; a belt supported a heavy hunt- 

 ing knife, while the upper part of his body was com- 

 pletely naked. His head was bare, and a daub of scarlet 

 paint ornamented each cheek and either breast. His 

 blanket lay beside him, and with his eye fixed on the 



