Florida Swamps and Forests 



out to sea among the keys. These sea alli- 

 gators are the largest and most ferocious, and 

 sometimes attack people by trying to strike 

 them with their tails when they are out fishing 

 in boats. 



"Another thing I wish you to see," he con- 

 tinued, "is a palmetto grove on a rich hum- 

 mock a few miles from here. The grove is 

 about seven miles in length by three in breadth. 

 The ground is covered with long grass, unin- 

 terrupted with bushes or other trees. It is the 

 finest grove of palmettos I have ever seen and 

 I have oftentimes thought that it would make 

 a fine subject for an artist." 



I concluded to stop — more to see this won- 

 derful palmetto hummock than to hunt. Be- 

 sides, I was weary and the prospect of getting 

 a little rest was a tempting consideration after 

 so many restless nights and long, hard walks 

 by day. 



October 21, Having outlived the sangui- 

 nary hunters' tales of my loquacious host, and 

 breakfasted sumptuously on fresh venison and 

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