Florida. 209 



All the most interesting incidents of what he called a 

 rather uniDrofitable expedition were woven by Audubon 

 into the striking episodes given in this and subsequent 

 chapters. 



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

 I formed an acquaintance with Dr. Simmons, Dr. Por- 

 cher, Judge Smith, the Misses Johnson, and many other 

 individuals, my intercourse with whom was as agreea- 

 ble as it was beneficial to me. While in this part of the 

 peninsula I followed my usual avocations, although with 

 little success, it being then winter. I had letters from the 

 secretaries of the navy and treasury of the United States, 

 to the commanding officers of vessels of war in the rev- 

 enue service, directing them to afford me any assistance 

 in their power ; and the schooner Shark having come to 

 St. Augustine, on her way to the St. John's river, I 

 presented my credentials to her commander. Lieutenant 

 Piercy, who readily, and with politeness, 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. Every- 

 thing went on with the regularity of a chronometer : 

 orders were given, answered to, and accomplished, before 

 they ceased to vibrate on the ear. The neatness of the 

 crew equalled the cleanliness of the white planks of the 

 deck ; the sails were in perfect condition, and built as the 

 Shark was for swift sailing, on she went bowling from 

 wave to wave. I thought that, while thus sailing, no feel- 

 ing but that of pleasure could exist in our breasts. Alas! 

 how fleeting are our enjoyments. When we were almost 

 at the entrance of the river the wind changed, the sky be- 

 came clouded, and before many minutes had elapsed the 

 little bark was lying to, ' like a duck,' as her commander 

 expressed himself It blew a hurricane : let it blow, 



