WRECKERS OF FLORIDA. 161 



Words to express the pleasure and gratification which I this day experi- 

 enced. I'he sea was of a beautiful soft, pea-green colour, smooth as a 

 sheet of glass, and as transparent, its surface agitated only by our vessels- 

 as they parted its bosom, or by the Pelican in pursuit of his prey, which 

 rising for a considerable distance in the air, would suddenly plunge down 

 with distended mandibles and secure his food. The vessels of our little 

 fleet, with every sail set that could catch a breeze, and the white foam 

 curling round the prows, glided silently along, like islands of flitting 

 shadows, on an immovable sea of liglit. Several fathoms below the sur- 

 face of the water, and under us, we saw great quantities of fish diving 

 and sporting among the sea-grass, sponges, sea-feathers, and corals, with 

 which the bottom was covered. On our right hand were the Florida 

 Keys, which, as we made them in the distance, looked like specks upon 

 the surface of the water, but as we neared them, rose to view as if by en- 

 chantment, clad in the richest livery of spring, each variety of colour and 

 hue rendered soft and delicate by a clear sky and a brilliant sun over 

 head. All was like a fairy scene ; my heart leaped up in delighted ad- 

 miration, and I could not but exclaim in the language of Scott, 



" Those seas behold^ 

 Round thrice aii hundred islands rolled." 



The trade-wind played around us with balmy and refreshing sweetness ; 

 and, to give life and animation to the scene, we had a contest for the 

 mastery between all the vessels of the fleet, while a deep interest was ex- 

 cited in favour of this or that vessel, as she shot ahead, or fell astern. 



About three o'clock in the afternoon, we arrived off the Bay of 

 Honda. The wind being light, and no prospect of reaching Key West 

 that night, it was agreed that we should make a harbour here. We 

 entered a beautiful basin and came to anchor about four o'clock. Boats 

 were got out, and several hunting parties formed. We landed, and were 

 soon on the scent, some going in search of shells, others of birds. An In- 

 dian, who had been picked up somewhere along the coast by a Wrecker, 

 and who was employed as a hunter, was sent ashore in search of venison. 

 Previous to his leaving the vessel, a rifle was loaded with a single ball, 

 and put into his hands. After an absetice of several hours, he returned 

 with two deer, which he had killed at a single shot. He watched until 

 they were both in range of his gun, side by side, when he fired and 

 brought them down. 



VOL. III. ^ L 



