AUDUBON AND BOOXE. 137 



to the windward of our vessel, from which the breeze came 

 laden with no sweet odors. 



In the morning when I arose, the country was still covered 

 with thick fogs, so that although I could plainly hear the 

 notes of the birds on shore, not an object could I see beyond 

 the bowsprit, and the air was as close and sultry as on the 

 previous evening. Guided by the scent of the jerkers' works, 

 we went on shore, where we found the vegetation already far 

 advanced. The blossoms of the jessamine, ever pleasing, lay 

 steeped in dew ; the humming bee was collecting her winter's 

 store from the snowy flowers of the native orange ; and the 

 little warblers frisked along the twigs of the smilax. Now, 

 amid the tall pines of the forest, the sun's rays began to force 

 their way, and as the dense mists dissolved in the atmosphere, 

 the bright luminary at length shone forth. We explored the 

 woods around, guided by some friendly live-oakers who had 

 pitched their camp in the vicinity. After awhile the Spark 

 again displayed her sails, and as she silently glided along, 

 we espied a Seminole Indian approaching us in his canoe. 

 The poor dejected son of the woods, endowed with talents of 

 the highest order, although rarely acknowledged by the proud 

 usurpers of his native soil, has spent the night in fishing, and 

 the morning in procuring the superb-feathered game of the 

 swampy thickets ; and with both he comes to offer them for 

 our acceptance. Alas ! thou fallen one, descendant of an 

 ancient line of freeborn hunters, would that I could restore 

 to thee thy birthright, thy natural independence, the generous 

 feelings that were once fostered in thy brave bosom. But 

 the irrevocable deed is done, and I can merely admire the 

 perfect symmetry of his frame, as he dexterously throws on 

 our deck the trouta and turkeys which he has captured. He 

 receives a recompense, and without smile or bow, or acknowl- 

 edgment of any kind, off he starts with the speed of an arrow 

 from his own bow. 



Alligators were extremely abundant, and the heads of the 



