32 



ALONG THE FLORIDA REEF. 



was taken up the long broad walk, over the 

 drawbridge, and into the big fort. 



The doctor was assigned quarters in a small 

 brick cottage on the west side, and here the 

 party speedily made themselves at home. Knap- 

 sacks were emptied, boxes unpacked, the alcohol 

 was poured into numerous small cans ; books and 

 drawing implements, microscopes, and other ap- 

 paratus were placed in order on a large table in 

 an adjoining room, after which the expedition 

 was, as Dick said, "ready for business." The 

 weather was delightful ; the mellow moonlight 

 streamed through the open window, and from 

 the distant reef came the sullen roar of the surf, 



above which was heard 

 occasionally the cry of 

 a laughing gull. 



Next day the great 

 fort was thoroughly 

 explored. The boys 

 wandered through the 

 groves of cocoa palms 

 and bay cedar that gave Garden Key its name, 

 paced the cedar avenue that led up to head- 



Inside Fort Jefferson. 



