Florida Swamps and Forests 



and some respectable-looking houses with gar 

 dens. These little fenced fields look as if they 

 were intended to be for plants what cages are 

 for birds. Discovered a large, treelike cactus 

 in a dooryard; a small species was abundant 

 on the sand-hillocks. Reached Gainesville late 

 in the night. 



When within three or four miles of the town 

 I noticed a light off in the pine woods. As I was 

 very thirsty, I thought I would venture toward 

 it with the hope of obtaining water. In creep 

 ing cautiously and noiselessly through the 

 grass to discover whether or no it was a camp 

 of robber negroes, I came suddenly in full view 

 of the best-lighted and most primitive of all 

 the domestic establishments I have yet seen 

 in town or grove. There was, first of all, a big, 

 glowing log fire, illuminating the overleaning 

 bushes and trees, bringing out leaf and spray 

 with more than noonday distinctness, and 

 making still darker the surrounding wood. In 

 the center of this globe of light sat two negroes. 

 I could see their ivory gleaming from the great 

 [ 105 1 



