EPISODES 



345 



THE WRECKERS OF FLORIDA 



Long before I reached the lovely islets that border the 

 southeastern shores of the Floridas, the accounts I had 

 heard of " The Wreckers " had deeply prejudiced me 

 against them. Often had I been informed of the cruel and 

 cowardly methods which it was alleged they employed to 

 allure vessels of all nations to the dreaded reefs, that they 

 might plunder their cargoes, and rob their crews and pas- 

 sengers of their effects. I therefore could have little desire 

 to meet with such men under any circumstances, much less 

 to become liable to receive their aid ; and with the name 

 of Wreckers there were associated in my mind ideas of 

 piratical depredations, barbarous usage, and even murder. 

 One fair afternoon, while I was standing on the polished 

 deck of the United States revenue cutter, the " Marion," a 

 sail hove in sight, bearing in an opposite course, and close- 

 hauled to the wind. The gentle rake of her masts, as she 

 rocked to and fro in the breeze, brought to my mind the 

 wavings of the reeds on the fertile banks of the Mississippi. 

 By and by the vessel, altering her course, approached us. 

 The " Marion," like a sea-bird with extended wings, swept 

 through the waters, gently inclining to either side^ while 

 the unknown vessel leaped as it were, from wave to wave, 

 like the dolphin in eager pursuit of his prey. In a short 

 time we were gliding side by side, and the commander 

 of the strange schooner saluted our captain, who promptly 

 returned the compliment. What a beautiful vessel ! we 

 all thought; how trim, how clean rigged, and how well 

 manned I She swims like a duck ; and now with a broad 

 sheer, off she makes for the reefs a few miles under our 

 lee. There, in that narrow passage, well known to her 

 commander, she rolls, tumbles, and dances, like a giddy 

 thing, her copper sheathing now gleaming and again dis^ 

 appearing under the waves. But the passage is thridded, 





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