352 



AUDUBON 



'J 



verses he played an interlude, remarking, * Gentlemen, I 

 makes dat myself.' The chorus was trolled by twenty 

 or thirty voices, which, in the stillness of the night, 

 produced no unpleasant effect." 



ST. JOHN'S RIVER IN FLORIDA 



Soon after landing at St. Augustine, in East Florida, I 

 formed acquaintance with Dr. Simmons, Dr. Porcher, 

 Judge Smith, the Misses Johnson, and other individuals, 

 my intercourse with whom was as agreeable as benefi- 

 cial to me. Lieutenant Constantine Smith, of the United 

 States army, I found of a congenial spirit, as was the 

 case with my amiable but since deceased friend. Dr. 

 Bell of Dublin. Among the planters who extended their 

 hospitality to me, I must particularly mention General 

 Hernandez, and my esteemed friend John Bulow, Esq. 

 To all these estimable individuals I offer my sincere 

 thanks. 



While in this part of the peninsula I followed my usual 

 avocation, although with little success, it then being winter. 

 I had letters from the Secretaries of the Navy and Treas- 

 ury of the United States, to the commanding officers of 

 vessels of war of the revenue service, directing them to 

 afford me any assistance in their power ; and the schooner 

 " Spark " having come to St. Augustine, on her way to the 

 St. John's River, I presented my credentials to her com- 

 mander Lieutenant Piercy, who readily and with polite- 

 ness received me and my assistants on board. We soon 

 after set sail with a fair breeze. The strict attention to duty 

 on board even this small vessel of war, afforded matter of 

 surprise to me. Everything went on with the regularity 

 of a chronometer : orders were given, answered to, and 

 accomplished, before they had ceased to vibrate on the 



