140 WILD SCENES AND WILD HUNTERS. 



level ground so as almost to cover our feet, and we slowly ad- 

 vanced, fronting the tempest. Here and there a tall pine on 

 fire presented a magnificent spectacle, illumining the trees 

 around it, and surrounded with a halo of dim light, abruptly 

 bordered with the deep black of the night. At one time we 

 passed through a tangled thicket of low trees, at another 

 crossed a stream flushed by the heavy rain, and again pro- 

 ceeded over the open barrens. 



How long we thus, half-lost, groped our way, is more than 

 I can tell you ; but at length the tempest passed over, and 

 suddenly the clear sky became spangled with stars. Soon 

 after we smelt the salt-marshes, and walking directly towards 

 them, like pointers advancing on a covey of partridges, we at 

 last to our great joy descried the light of the beacon near 

 St. Augustine. My dog began to run briskly around, having 

 met with ground on which he had hunted before, and taking 

 a direct course, led us to the great causeway that crosses the 

 marshes at the back of the town. We refreshed ourselves 

 with the produce of the first orange tree that we met with, 

 and in half an hour more arrived at our hotel. Drenched 

 with rain, steaming with perspiration, and covered to the 

 knees with mud, you may imagine what figures we cut in the 

 eyes of the good people whom we found snugly enjoying 

 themselves in the sitting room. Next morning, Major Gates, 

 who had received me with much kindness, sent a wagon with 

 mules and two trusty soldiers for my companion and luggage. 



Availing himself of his letters again, he now went on board 

 a revenue cutter, the "Max-ion." 



As the "Marion" neared the inlet called "Indian Key," 

 which is situated on the eastern coast of the peninsula of 

 Florida, my heart swelled with uncontrollable delight. Our 

 vessel once over the coral reef that every where stretches 

 along the shore like a great wall, reared by an army of giants, 

 we found ourselves in safe anchoring ground, within a few 

 furlongs of the land. The next moment saw the oars of a 



