238 THE LIVE-OAKERS. 



On the 25th of February 1832, I happened to be far up the St John s 

 River in East Florida, in the company of a person employed by our 

 o-overnment in protecting the live-oaks of that section of the country, 

 and who received a good salary for his trouble. While we were pro- 

 ceeding along one of the banks of that most singular stream, my com- 

 panion pointed out some large hummocks of dark-leaved trees on the 

 opposite side, which he said were entirely formed of live oaks. I 

 thouo-ht differently, and as our controversy on the subject became a 

 little warm, I proposed that our men should row us to the place, where 

 we mio-ht examine the leaves and timber, and so decide the point. We 

 soon landed, but after inspecting the woods, not a single tree of the spe- 

 cies did we find, although there were thousands of large " swamp-oaks." 

 My companion acknowledged his mistake, and I continued to search for 

 birds. 



One dark evening as I was seated on the banks of the same river, con- 

 sidering what arrangements I should make for the nighi, as it began to 

 rain in torrents, a man who happened to see me, came up and invited me 

 to go to his cabin, which he said was not far off. I accepted his kind 

 offer, and followed him to his humble dwelling. There I found his wife, 

 several children, and a number of men, who, as my host told me, were, 

 like himself, Live-Oakers. Supper was placed on a large table, and on 

 being desired to join the party, I willingly assented, doing my best to di- 

 minish the contents of the tin pans and dishes set before the company by 

 the active and agreeable housewife. We then talked of the country, its 

 climate and productions, until a late hour, when we laid ourselves down 

 on bears' skins, and reposed till day-break. 



I longed to accompany these hardy wood-cutters to the hummock 

 where they were engaged in preparing live-oak timber for a man of war. 

 Provided with axes and guns, we left the house to the care of the wife 

 and children, and proceeded for several miles through a pine-barren, such 

 as I have attempted to describe. One fine wild Turkey was shot, and 

 when we arrived at the Shantee put up near the hummock, we found an- 

 other party of wood-cutters waiting our arrival, before eating their break- 

 fast, already prepared by a Negro man, to whom the turkey was consign- 

 ed to be roasted for part of that day's dinner. 



Our repast was an excellent one, and vied with a Kentucky break- 

 fast : beef, fish, potatoes, and other vegetables, were served up, with 



