26 



HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA. 



inches beneath the surface of the water. It was about twenty 

 feet from the bank, and Old CharHe whispered to me that it 

 was a manatee. Getting into my canoe I paddled gently after him, 

 but as I did so an exclamation from Old Charlie caused me 

 to turn, and there, just below me, was another manatee larger 

 than the tirst. I whispered to Pat to keep the boat as still as 

 possible, and in another moment the huge creature passed di- 

 rectly under us, not two feet beneath the surface, and so clear was 

 the water that the coarse hairs on his brown skin were distinctly 



visible. He appeared to be at least ten feet long, and, although 

 I wanted that particular manatee very much, as I had no harpoon 

 in the boat, I could only sit and watch him slowly move up the 

 river, where he undoubtedl}' joined his companion who had preceded 

 him. 



The Indians are \-ery fond of the flesh of this animal, which 

 somewhat resembles coarse beef, and what they do not use them- 

 selves they readil}' sell to the white settlers. 



The manatee is a very timid creature, and the least sound, such 



