184 THE GULF COAST OF FLORIDA. 



We returned to the forecastle and spent the remainder of 

 the afternoon pleasantly. We retired early at night in order 

 to rise early and enjoy that novel and beautiful sight, a sun- 

 rise on the water. At one o'clock A.M. we reached Egmont 

 Light, which stands upon a small island called Egmont Key. 

 Here the steamer tied up until day, when the captain sent the 

 steward to call us and say that he would give us an hour to 

 take a walk upon the beach. 



We gladly availed ourselves of the opportunity, and after 

 partaking of a cup of hot coffee served in our stateroom, hur- 

 ried out and beheld a most lovely picture. Egmont Key is a 

 picturesque little isle half a mile wide and one and a half miles 

 long. The government lighthouse and light-keeper's residence 

 are handsome and substantial structures. We found Mr. 

 Moore, the light-keeper, an intelligent, kind-hearted and hos- 

 pitable gentleman. He gave us some interesting information 

 concerning this island and others in the vicinity. He says 

 there is a heron rockery on the island only half a mile from 

 his house where the birds annually build their nests and rear 

 their young. Last year there were five hundred nests there. 

 He estimates that each nest produced on an average five birds, 

 making the total crop two thousand five hundred. He con- 

 siders them his pets, and will not allow them to be shot or dis- 

 turbed in any way. 



Mullett Key, two miles northeast, is the home of a large 

 herd of deer, and Mr. Moore goes over there and kills one at 

 any time when he wishes some fresh venison. Mr. Moore is 

 an enthusiastic sportsman, by the way, and I am informed 

 that he has killed one hundred and ninety-three deer in the 

 past two years. 



During our walk around the island we found many won- 

 ders of the deep in the way of shells, fishes, etc. A cold 

 norther had prevailed for two days previously, and many of 



