22 BIRD S-EYE GLANCE AT FLORIDA. 



is seen, and in calmer moments arrange each in its 

 proper place. 



The sun had now reached a considerable height, and 

 was shining hotly on the water. The captain of the 

 steamer informed us that we might as well be on the 

 look-out for alligators. About a dozen among the pas 

 sengers produced rifles or shot-guns, and we took our 

 stations on the upper deck. As we stood near the 

 wheel-house an old negro, who was steering, exclaimed, 

 &quot; See, dar s one !&quot; at the same time pointing toward a 

 large object. His words were followed by the sharp 

 crack of half a dozen rifles, and as many voices excitedly 

 shouted, &quot;I have killed him.&quot; But the loud laugh 

 from some of the experienced hunters, and a broad grin 

 on the black face of the pilot, told these amateurs that 

 they had been sold. Their bullets had merely set free 

 the gases contained in the carcass of a dead alligator. 



A short distance beyond this point we saw a flock of 

 about twenty wild turkeys on the river bank. They 

 were beneath some orange trees, and were very tame. 

 As we came in sight of them there was a simultaneous 

 discharge of fire-arms ; but in the excitement of the 

 moment it was entirely without effect. The turkeys 

 scattered right and left, and were soon lost in the thick 

 underbrush. Soon after this the alligators became quite 

 numerous, and the deck of the steamer presented an 

 animated scene, resounding with the sharp crack of 

 rifles. The hideous reptiles were in all positions ; some 

 were sleeping on the banks, others half in the water, and 

 some were swimming swiftly about with only their ugly 

 snouts and repulsive-looking eyes visible. Sometimes 

 one would roll over in his death agony, after receiving a 

 single shot. Then the attention of the whole party 



