170 YACHTING OX THE ST. JOHNS. 



latcd trees, standing at the end of a shallow water-way 

 that extended from the river into the prairie ; so, with 

 the hope of gaining some shots, we ordered a halt. 

 The steamer was tied to a tree, and we launched a skiff 

 and paddled through the water-lilies, or &quot;bonnets&quot; (as 

 the huge leaves are called), starting flocks of duck, rail, 

 and birds, and disturbing the siestas of numerous alliga 

 tors and turtles. The only shelter was under some small 

 water-growing bushes, where we hid ourselves as well as 

 we could, draping our hats with Spanish moss, and dis 

 posing it about, for concealment. After a time all the 

 turmoil we had caused ceased. The ducks came, one by 

 one, and dodged about under the reeds and lily leaves, 

 while inquisitive blackbirds flitted near with impertinent 

 airs, and chaffed our ideas of concealment with un 

 bounded slang. An alligator, that had been out sun 

 ning himself where our boat laid, came up without a 

 ripple, and eyed us with long curiosity as interlopers, and 

 drifted almost against the boat. But we were after her 

 ons, and would only shoot them, after the manner of the 

 AVestern man, who, &quot;when he went a cattin went a cat- 

 tin ,&quot; and would not accept a bass or pike in lieu of the 

 wide-mouthed bull-head. Animal life was abundant all 

 about, with little evidence of fear, and, watching it, it 

 was easy to realize how deeply engrossed such naturalists 

 as Audubon became in thus studying birds and animals 

 when free in their own haunts. Nothing seemed aware 

 of us but the herons. They came from remote points, 

 and seemed about to perch on the old trees, where so 

 many were seen, but swept by and went on to other re 

 treats. It was hardly possible for them to discover us, 

 and we could not divine any cause for their wary move 

 ments unless they were warned by the angry scolding of 



