Florida Swamps and Forests 



left down the brier line, and after scrambling a 

 mile or so, perspiring and bleeding, I discov- 

 ered the blessed trail and escaped to dry land 

 and the light. Reached the captain at sun- 

 down. Dined on milk and johnny-cake and 

 fresh venison. Was congratulated on my sin- 

 gular good fortune and woodcraft, and soon 

 after supper was sleeping the deep sleep of 

 the weary and the safe. 



October 22. This morning I was easily pre- 

 vailed upon by the captain and an ex-judge, 

 who was rusticating here, to join in a deer hunt. 

 Had a delightful ramble in the long grass and 

 flowery barrens. Started one deer but did not 

 draw a single shot. The captain, the judge, 

 and myself stood at different stations where the 

 deer was expected to pass, while a brother of the 

 captain entered the woods to arouse the game 

 from cover. The one deer that he started took 

 a direction different from any which this par- 

 ticular old buck had ever been known to take 

 in times past, and in so doing was cordially 



cursed as being the "d -dest deer that ever 



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