92 IN LOWER FLORIDA WILDS 



environment became unfavorable this super- 

 abundance of life melted away and the old order 

 was restored. I believe that a wave of rattle- 

 snake life must have occurred in the vicinity of 

 Cape Sable. 



It seems a strange thing that so few are bitten 

 by rattlesnakes and I can only conclude that they 

 rarely if ever strike unless actually provoked. I 

 have known of a number of cases of snakes almost 

 stepped on that refrained from attacking. Noth- 

 ing in nature can be more hideous and terrifying 

 in appearance than a large diamond rattlesnake, 

 or more perfectly fitted to demoralize a courageous 

 foe. 



We had planned to visit several places after 

 leaving Sable, but at the next stop with the 

 anchor over no one seemed to manifest any dis- 

 position to go ashore. It was agreed that the 

 tide was too low to land, so we up anchor and pro- 

 ceeded on to Jo Kemp's Key. We did land there 

 and talked with some fishermen, who confirmed 

 the snake stories we had recently heard. They 

 admitted they hardly dared step outside the paths. 

 The Doctor, who wore heavy, high leggins, took a 

 brief turn along the edge of the hammock but 



