152 WILD SCENES AND "WILD HUNTERS. 



while our only and constant beverage was water and molasses. 

 I found that in these warm latitudes, exposed as we constantly 

 were to alternate heat and moisture, ardent spirits and more 

 substantial food would prove dangerous to us. The officers, 

 and those persons who from time to time kindly accompanied 

 us, adopted the same regimen, and not an individual of us 

 had ever to complain of so much as a headache. 



But we were under the mangroves — at a great distance on 

 one of the flats, the Heron, which I have named Ardea occi- 

 dentalism was seen moving majestically in great numbers. 

 The tide rose and drove them away, and as they came towards 

 us, to alight and rest for a time on the tallest trees, we shot 

 as many as I wished. I also took under my charge several 

 of their young, alive. 



At another time we visited the "Mule Keys." There the 

 prospect was in many respects dismal in the extreme. As I 

 followed their shores, I saw bales of cotton floating in all the 

 coves, while spars of every description lay on the beach, and 

 far off on the reefs I could see the last remains of a lost ship, 

 her dismantled hulk. Several schooners were around her; 

 they were wreckers. I turned me from the sight with a 

 heavy heart. Indeed, as I slowly proceeded, I dreaded to 

 meet the floating or cast ashore bodies of some of the unfortu- 

 nate crew. Our visit to the Mule Keys was in no way pro- 

 fitable, for, besides meeting with but a few birds in two or 

 three instances, I was, whilst swimming in the deep channel 

 of a mangrove isle, much nearer a large shark than I wish 

 ever to be again. 



" The service" requiring all the attention, prudence and 

 activity of Captain Day and his gallant officers, another cruise 

 took place, of which you will find some account in the sequel ; 

 and, while I rest a little on the deck of the Lady of the 

 Green Mantle, let me offer my humble thanks to the Being 

 who has allowed me the pleasure of thus relating to you, kind 

 reader, a small part of my adventures. 



