THE GULF COAST OF FLORIDA. 229 



pounds. I tied their heads together and swung them over my 

 shoulder, two in front and two behind. 



The river is so crooked that following it closely made me 

 about three or four times the distance to walk that I should 

 have had could I have gone straight through the woods, and I 

 did not reach camp until after eight o'clock. Will and Jack 

 were there dressing game and preparing supper. Will had 

 brought in another turkey, and Jack a deer and twenty-one 

 teal ducks. He killed the ducks at two shots thirteen to 

 his first barrel and eight to his second. Teal are very plenti- 

 ful here and very tame. The mallards and other large ducks 

 have not come in yet. 



We were out at daylight again the following morning and 

 decided to make but a brief hunt that day and start for home 

 at noon. A mile below camp I got a running shot at a deer 

 and missed. Soon after I came upon a flock of turkeys, 

 feeding under some live-oaks. I knocked one over and as 

 they ran tried another but failed to get him. I then started 

 for camp, and as I had no hope of seeing any more large game 

 concluded to take in a few squirrels. 



As I walked rapidly toward camp I picked off those nearest 

 to my path, and when I got in and counted up my bag had 

 sixteen. I also killed one of the brightest and handsomest 

 roseate spoonbills I could find. Not having time to skin it 

 properly for mounting I cut off the wings and head and shall 

 preserve them. I did the same with my Wood ibis, killed the 

 day before. Soon after I reached camp Jack came in with 

 still another turkey. Will drew a blank this time. He failed 

 to get a shot at anything. After breakfast we broke camp and 

 commenced preparations for the homeward march. I saw a 

 small alligator lying on the bank a few rods from us, and 

 being anxious to take home a skin of one, picked up my rifle. 

 At the sight of it he went into the water. I waited a few 



