WRECKERS OF FLORIDA. 159 



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 na- 

 tive tars. Silence and order prevailed on her decks. The commander 

 and the second officer led us into a spacious cabin, well lighted, and fur- 

 nished with every convenience for fifteen or more passengers. The for- 

 mer brought me his collection of marine shells, and whenever 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 par- 

 ticular 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 consisted 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 

 pleasure 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. 



Early next morning, several of these kind men accompanied me to a 

 small key called Booby Island, about ten miles distant from the light- 

 house. Their boats were well manned, and rowed with long and steady 

 strokes, such as whalers and men-of-war's men are wont to draw. The 

 captain sang, and at times, by way of frohc, ran a race with our own 

 beautiful bark. The Booby Isle was soon reached, and our sport there 

 was equal to any we had elsewhere. They were capital shots, had excel- 

 lent guns, and knew more about boobies and noddies than nine-tenths of 

 the best naturalists in the world. But what will you say when I tell you 

 that the Florida Wreckers are excellent at a deer hunt, and that at cer- 

 tain seasons, " when business is slack," they are wont to land on some ex- 

 tensive key, and in a few hours procure a supply of delicious venison. 



Some days afterwards, the same party took me on an expedition in 

 quest of sea-shells. There we were all in the water at times to the waist, 

 and now and then much deeper. Now they would dip, like ducks, and 

 on emerging would hold up a beautiful shell. This occupation they 

 seemed to enjoy above all others. 



