THE GUI5F COAST OF FLORIDA. 227 



in hope of finding more turkeys, for we had found several 

 large flocks already, from whfch we had as yet taken but a 

 few. We scattered, and an occasional shot from each told 

 the others that our search was not in vain. About ten o'clock 

 we all turned up at camp once more, and pooled our issues. 

 We had three turkeys in all, and Jack had fourteen coots that 

 he had killed at a single shot. We then roasted one of the 

 best turkeys and a loin of venison, in our hollow log oven 

 which was still in fine condition for dinner. As I dressed 

 the turkey I noticed that there was a large cavity in it after 

 removing the entrails, which I thought might as well be 

 utilized, so I put a teal duck into it, and placed the turkey 

 over the fire without mentioning it to either of the boys. 

 When we sat down to dinner, Jack took hold of the turkey to 

 carve it, and saw a leg of the duck protruding. He pulled 

 the little fellow out, held it up, and drily remarked : " Well, 

 I've traveled this road a year or more, but never saw a gob- 

 bler with such a young one in before." The " young one " 

 was well done, however, and we relished it quite as much as 

 any dish on the bill of fare. 



After dinner I went south about three miles. On the way 

 I killed a large wood ibis, and hung it up in a tree so that I 

 could get it on my return. I took off my vest and buttoned 

 it around him to keep the buzzards, wild cats, etc., from 

 eating him. Farther down the stream I saw a flock of six or 

 eight turkeys, but could not get a shot at them. About sun- 

 down I turned and started toward camp, listening intently in 

 hope of hearing turkeys coming in to roost, but was not 

 favored with any of that welcome music. I kept a sharp 

 lookout, however, in all the tall trees, knowing that it was 

 possible for them to fly in within a few yards of me without 

 my hearing them. 



Finally I saw one in the top of a large live-oak. I fired, 



