^he Sea Shores of Jersey, 185 



necessary by persons whose pursuits are similar to mine, 

 were immediately thrust into the waggon, and were fol- 

 lowed by their owner. The conductor whistled to hia 

 steeds, and off we went at a round pace over the loose 

 and deep sand that in almost every part of this State 

 forms the basis of the roads. After a while we overtook 

 a whole caravan of similar vehicles moving in the same 

 direction ; and when we got near them our horses slack- 

 ened their pace to a regular walk, the driver leaped from 

 his seat, I followed his example, and we presently found 

 ourselves in the midst of a group of merry waggoners, re- 

 lating their adventures of the week, it being now Saturday 

 night. One gave intimation of the number of * sheep's- 

 heads ' he had taken to town ; another spoke of the cur- 

 lews which yet remained on the sands ; and a third boast- 

 ed of having gathered so many dozens of marsh hens' 

 eggs. I inquired if the fish-hawks were plentiful near 

 Great Egg Harbor, and was answered by an elderly 

 man, who, with a laugh, asked if I had ever seen the 

 * weak fish ' along the coast without the bird in question. 

 ) Not knowing the animal he had named, I confessed my 

 ignorance, when the whole party burst into a loud laugh, 

 in which, there being nothing better for it, I joined. 



"About midnight the caravan reached a half-way 

 house, where we rested a while. Several roads diverged 

 from this spot, and the waggons separated, one only 

 keeping us company. The night was dark and gloomy, 

 but the sand of the road indicated our course very dis- 

 tinctly. Suddenly the galloping of horses struck my ear, 

 and on looking back, we perceived that our waggon must 

 in an instant be in imminent danger. The driver leaped 

 off, and drew his steeds aside, barely in time to allow the 

 runaways to pass without injuring us. Off they went at 

 full speed, and not long after their owner came up pant- 

 ing, and informed us that they had suddenly taken fright 



