IN THE CORAL COUNTRY. 35 



which Long John and Bob Rand were to aid 

 them with their sloop from time to time, while 

 an old sailor, named Busby, and a Seminole In- 

 dian, called Chief, became in time companions 

 on many of their trips. 



Paublo had been induced to undertake the 

 culinary department ; the commodore, as Busby 

 was termed, fell into the dignity of boat-keeper, 

 and in a very short time the little party was set- 

 tled and ready for work. 



The first experience of the boys on the key 

 was an exciting one. They were busily at work 

 unpacking when a lusty shout from Paublo 

 called them out. 



" If any of yo' young gemmen wants to go 

 turtle-ridin'," he said, " I'm goin'." 



No further invitation was necessary, and the 

 boys followed him down through the sally-port, 

 to the quarters, and finally out around the sea- 

 wall. The moat here was about one hundred feet 

 wide, half a mile around, and eight or ten feet 

 deep, the bottom being a clear white sand, so that 

 every object was visible, and the boys soon made 

 out a number of dark forms lying on the bottom. 



