Florida. 209 



All the most interesting incidents of what he called a 

 rather unprofitable expedition were woven by Audubon 

 into the striking episodes given in this and subsequent 

 chapters. 



" Soon after landing at St. Augustine, in East Florida, 

 I formed an acquaintance with Dr. Simmons, Dr. Por- 

 cher, Judge Smith, the Misses Johnson, and many other 

 individuals, my intercourse with whom was as agreea- 

 ble as it was beneficial to me. While in this part of the 

 peninsula I followed my usual avocations, although with 

 little success, it being then winter. I had letters from the 

 secretaries of the navy and treasury of the United States, 

 to the commanding officers of vessels of war in the rev- 

 enue service, directing them to afford me any assistance 

 in their power ; and the schooner Shark having come to 

 St. Augustine, on her way to the St. John's river, I 

 presented my credentials to her commander. Lieutenant 

 Piercy, who readily, and with politeness, received me and 

 my assistants on board. We soon after set sail, with a 

 fair breeze. 



" The strict attention to duty on board even this small 

 vessel of war afforded matter of surprise to me. Every- 

 thing went on with the regularity of a chronometer : 

 orders were given, answered to, and accomplished, before 

 they ceased to vibrate on the ear. The neatness of the 

 crew equalled the cleanliness of the white planks of the 

 deck j the sails were in perfect condition, and built as the 

 Shark was for swift sailing, on she went bowling from 

 wave to wave. I thought that, while thus sailing, no feel- 

 ing but that of pleasure could exist in our breasts. Alas ! 

 how fleeting are our enjoyments. When we were almost 

 at the entrance of the river the wind changed, the sky be- 

 came clouded, and before many minutes had elapsed the 

 little bark was lying to, * like a duck,' as her commander 

 expressed himself. It blew a hurricane : let it blow,, 



