142 WILD SCENES AND WILD HUNTERS. 



seemed to him more pastime than toil. Not a Cormorant or 

 Pelican, a Flamingo, an Ibis, or Heron, had ever in his days 

 formed its nest without his having marked the spot ; and as 

 to the Keys to which the Doves are wont to resort, he was 

 better acquainted with them than many fops are with the 

 contents of their pockets. In a word, he positively knew 

 every channel that led to these islands, and every cranny 

 along their shores. For years his employment had been to 

 hunt those singular animals called Sea Cows or Marratees, 

 and he had conquered hundreds of them, "merely," as he 

 said, because the flesh and hide bring "a fair price" at 

 Havanna. He never went anywhere to land without " Long 

 Tom," which proved indeed to be a wonderful gun, and which 

 made smart havoc when charged with " groceries," a term by 

 which he designated the large shot which he used. In like 

 manner, he never paddled his light canoe without having by 

 his side the trusty javelin, with which he unerringly trans- 

 fixed such fishes as he thought fit either for market or for his 

 own use. In attacking turtles, netting, or overturning them, 

 I doubt if his equal ever lived on the Florida coast. No 

 sooner was he made acquainted with my errand, than he 

 freely offered his best services, and from that moment until 1 

 left Key West, he was seldom out of my hearing. 



While the young gentlemen who accompanied us were 

 engaged in procuring plants, shells, and small birds, he 

 tapped me on the shoulder, and with a smile said to me, 

 " Come along, I'll show you something better worth your 

 while." To the boat we betook ourselves, with the Captain 

 and only a pair of tars, for more he said would not answer. 

 The yawl for awhile was urged at a great rate, but as we 

 approached a point, the oars were taken in, and the pilot 

 alone skulling, desired us to make ready, for in a few minutes 

 we should have "rare sport." As we advanced, the more 

 slowly did we move, and the most profound silence was main- 

 tained, until suddenly coming almost in contact with a thick 



