68 RAMBLES OF 



tiful expanse of sparkling water, I had a book opened 

 before me, which a life-time would scarcely suffice me to 

 read through. With the advantage of a small but neatly 

 made and easily manageable skiff, I was always inde- 

 pendent of the service of the blacks, which was ever re. 

 pugnant to my feelings and principles. I could convey 

 myself in whatever direction objects of enquiry might pre- 

 sent, and as my little bark was visible for a mile in either 

 direction from the house, a handkerchief waved, or the 

 loud shout of a negro, was sufficient to recall me, in case 

 my services were required. 



During the spring months, and while the garden vege. 

 tables are yet too young to need a great deal of attention, 

 the proprietors frequently employ their blacks in hauling 

 the seine ; and this in these creeks is productive of an 

 ample supply of yellow perch, which affords a very valua- 

 ble addition to the diet of all. The blacks in an especial 

 mariner profit by this period of plenty, since they are 

 permitted to eat of them without restraint, which cannot 

 be said of any other sort of provision allowed them. Even 

 the pigs and crows obtain their share of the abundance, 

 as the fishermen, after picking out the best fish, throw 

 the smaller ones on the beach. But as the summer months 

 approach, the aquatic grass begins to grow, and this fish- 

 ing can no longer be continued, because the grass rolls 

 the seine up in a wisp, so that it can contain nothing. 

 At this time the spawning season of the different species 

 of sun-fish begins, and to me this was a time of much 



