ATJDUBON AND BOONE. 145 



morning. Pursuing our way through the deep and tortuous 

 channels that everywhere traverse the immense muddy soap- 

 like flats that stretch from the outward Keys to the Main, 

 we proceeded on our voyage of discovery. Here and there 

 we met with great beds of floating sea-weeds, which showed 

 us that turtles were abundant there, these masses being the 

 refuse of their feeding. On talking to Mr. Thruston of the 

 nature of these muddy flats, he mentioned that he had once 

 been lost amongst their narrow channels for several days and 

 nights, when in pursuit of some smugglers' boat, the owners 

 of which were better acquainted with the place than the men 

 who were along with him. Although in full sight of several 

 of the Keys, as well as of the main land, he was unable to 

 reach either, until a heavy gale raised the water, when he 

 sailed directly over the flats, and returned home almost ex- 

 hausted with fatigue and hunger. His present pilot often 

 alluded to the circumstance afterwards, ending with a great 

 laugh, and asserting that had he "been there, the rascals 

 would not have escaped." 



Coming under a Key on which multitudes of Frigate Peli- 

 cans had begun to form their nests, we shot a good number 

 of them, and observed their habits. The boastings of our 

 pilot were here confirmed by the exploits which he performed 

 with his long gun, and on several occasions he brought down 

 a bird from a height of fully a hundred yards. The poor 

 birds, unaware of the range of our artillery, sailed calmly 

 along, so that it was not difficult for "Long Tom," or rather 

 for its owner, to furnish us with as many as we required. 

 The day was spent in this manner, and towards night we 

 returned, laden with booty, to the hospitable home of the 

 pilot. 



The next morning was delightful. The gentle sea-breeze 

 glided over the flowery isle, the horizon was clear, and all 

 was silent save the long breakers that rushed over the distant 

 reefs. As we were proceeding towards some Keys, seldom 



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