fiW^ 



346 



AUDUBON 



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and now, hauling on the wind, she resumes her former 

 course, and gradually recedes from the view. Reader, it 

 was a Florida Wrecker. 



When at the Tortugas, I paid a visit to several vessels of 

 this kind, in company with my excellent friend Robert 

 Day, Esq, We had observed the regularity and quickness 

 of the men then employed at their arduous tasks, and as 

 we approached the largest schooner, I admired her form, so 

 well adapted to her occupation, her great breadth of beam, 

 her light draught, the correctness of her water-line, the 

 neatness of her painted sides, the smoothness of her well- 

 greased masts, and the beauty of her rigging. We were 

 welcomed on board with all the frankness of our native 

 tars. Silence and order prevailed on her decks. The 

 commander and the second officer led us into a spa- 

 cious cabin, well-lighted, and furnished with every con- 

 venience for fifteen or more passengers. The former 

 brought me his collection of marine shells, and when- 

 ever I pointed to one that I had not seen before, offered 

 it with so much kindness that I found it necessary to be 

 careful in expressing my admiration of any particular shell. 

 He had also many eggs of rare birds, which were all handed 

 over to me, with an assurance that before the month should 

 expire, a new set could easily be procured ; *' for," said he, 

 " we have much idle time on the reefs at this season." 

 Dinner was served, and we partook of their fare, which con- 

 sisted of fish, fowl, and other materials. These rovers, 

 who were both from " down east," were stout, active men, 

 cleanly and smart in their attire. In a short time we were 

 all extremely social and merry. They thought my visit to 

 the Tortugas, in quest of birds, was rather a " curious 

 fancy; " but, notwithstanding, they expressed their plea- 

 sure while looking at some of my drawings, and offered 

 their services in procuring specimens. Expeditions far 

 and near were proposed, and on settling that one of them 

 was to take place on the morrow, we parted friends. 



