88 SUPPLEMENTARY HINTS 



small creeks ; and we explored most every lake and 

 stream on the river. Although we were so far south, we 

 had no trouble with insects. All the windows had wire 

 gauze, and we were careful to keep the doors shut. Our 

 sleeping accommodations and our dining room were very 

 good. The boat would run about ten miles an hour, 

 and we could change our location very easily. We 

 found moccasin snakes very abundant in the upper 

 country, but had no trouble with them. One day wo 

 lost a rowlock from the boat, and proposed to the black 

 man, Bill, to take off his clothes and get it up with his 

 feet. As he reached the bottom he stepped on a large 

 snake, which coiled about his leg. He went ashore with 

 a yell, and one of our party said he was the whitest man 

 in the lot. lie was sure he was bit, and kept hold of 

 his pulse to see if he was not dying ; but was not hurt. 

 The snake appeared as much frightened as Bill. We 

 saw very few rattlesnakes. One of our party, Mr. Rice, 

 at Lake Jessup, shot a white heron that fell into the 

 water near the shore, lie saw a large alligator start 

 for the bird, and Rice thought he could get the 

 bird before the alligator, which he did, and threw the 

 bird over his shoulder, the alligator following ; and as 

 lie reached the bank the alligator struck his legs, but did 

 him no damage. I have made this paper too long, and 

 can recommend for real comfort such a cruise. Such 

 a steamer, after going up the St. Johns river could be 

 taken around to St. Augustine, and so down to Indian 

 river, and the expense less than to live at the hotels. 



. A. BOARDMAN. 



