194 THE GULF COAST OF FLORIDA. 



indistinguishable mass. Where it stands thickly upon the 

 ground it forms a jungle that even a dog can scarcely pene- 

 trate. After passing these mangrove thickets we had plain 

 sailing for awhile. Just below them we passed some long 

 sand-bars, upon which were feeding great flocks of Spanish 

 curlews, both straight-bill and sickle-bill, millet, white- 

 breasted plover, and other varieties of bay birds. 



A good wing shot could enjoy rare sport here, but I am 

 in search of larger game and will not trouble these birds. 



About three o'clock in the afternoon we came upon a 

 Series of oyster bars which extends clear across the bay and 

 nearly two miles up and down it. The tide had gone out by 

 {his time and we had some very had work poling and occa- 

 sionally wading, dragging and lifting our boat over the worst 

 portions of the bars. Perseverance, however, won the battle 

 and we succeeded in getting over. 



We arrived at Mr. Webb's house just as night set in, and 

 were given a most cordial greeting, although we were entire 

 strangers to the family. Such kind and hospitable treatment 

 as we received, and such a clean, wholesome, palatable sup- 

 per as we were treated to that night, made us glad in our 

 hearts that we had had the good fortune to be directed to and 

 finally to reach the home of these kind-hearted people. 

 They are natives of Utica, New York, where Mr. John G. 

 Webb, the head of the family, was engaged in the drug busi- 

 ness for many years. They came here twelve years ago. 

 Mr. Webb owns a large tract of land and has a large, com- 

 fortable farm-house and ample outbuildings. He has chosen 

 for his residence one of the most romantic and beautiful 

 spots in the state, or, for that matter, in any state. It is a nar- 

 row point of land ranging from one to two hundred yards 

 wide and extending into the bay nearly a quarter of a 

 mile. It contains about five acres of land. There is 



