226 THE GULF COAST OF FLORIDA. 



to come out to-day and join us, so we answered with a double 

 salute from Jack's gun. 



Just as dinner was ready, Will came in sight, carrying a 

 fine old gobbler. We were delighted to see him in this wil- 

 derness, for we had not seen a human being, nor even a track 

 of one, since leaving home. After dining heartily on roast 

 turkey, sweet potatoes, and fresh biscuits, with oranges for 

 dessert, we took to the woods again, each going in a different 

 direction. 



Jack crossed the river and went east. Will went down, 

 and I up the river. I had not gone more than a mile when I 

 heard a rattling noise in the sea-ash thicket, and looking 

 under the branches saw a fine large buck come bounding 

 directly toward me. He had been frightened by something, 

 probably the report of Jack's gun on trie other side of the 

 river. He had not yet seen me. I stood perfectly still until 

 he came within about fifty yards of me, and tak'ing a steady 

 aim at his breast, fired. He turned suddenly to the right, 

 made one jump, and fell dead. The ball had gone a little 

 higher than I aimed, and entered his neck near the base of 

 the windpipe. It had cut the windpipe and shattered the 

 neck bone. I dressed the animal, and found he was rather 

 heavy to carry, so returned to camp, got the horse, and got 

 back to camp with my venison just as Will returned from the 

 opposite direction with another good large gobbler. 



In half an hour more Jack returned with a turkey and 

 four ducks ; with this score we closed the day's sport, and 

 spent the evening after supper dressing our game. While we 

 were at supper a large 'gator raised his head in the middle of 

 the river opposite our tent. I sent a message from "old 

 reliable," and in an instant more he was lashing the water 

 into a foam, minus an eye. 



At daylight the following morning we were again on foot, 



