XXVII. 



SOUTH-WEST FLORIDA. 

 1. FERKANDIHA TO CEDAR KEYS. 



is the 25th of February. On the 5th of last 

 December, I left New York on the steamer Gulf 

 Stream for Charleston, in company with Frank and 

 Harry, to whom I shall refer in the future. My boat 

 (the Spray), with necessaries for the trip, was shipped at 

 Philadelphia for Savannah. On the night of the 7th, Hat- 

 teras favored us with quantum suff. of wind and a cross sea 

 without any foot. Although an old sea-dog, I was forced 

 to succumb to the remedial measures of old Nep. After 

 many voyages we fancy that we are competent to express 

 an opinion regarding the sea-going qualities of steam 

 ships and sailing vessels, and have no hesitation in stat 

 ing that the Gulf Stream is remarkable for many good 

 qualities in a heavy sea. We reached Charleston on the 

 8th, at nine r. M., and at eleven P. M. found ourselves 

 in one of the comfortable state-rooms of the good 

 steamer Dictator, en route for Savannah. The latter 

 place we reached on the Oth, at six A. M., and at twelve M. 

 left for Fernandina, and arrived at the latter place at 



