ST JOHN'S RIVER IN FLORIDA. 293 



In the morning when I arose, the country was still covered with thick 

 fogs, so that although I could plainly hear the notes of the birds on shore, 

 not an object could I see beyond the bowsprit, and the air was as close 

 and sultry as on the previous evening. Guided by the scent of the 

 jerkers' works, we went on shore, where we found the vegetation already 

 far advanced. The blossoms of the jessamine, ever pleasing, lay steeped 

 in dew ; the humming bee was collecting her winter's store from the snowy 

 flowers of the native orange ; and the little warblers frisked alons; the 

 twigs of the smilax. Now, amid the tali pines of the forest, the sun's 

 rays began to force their way, and as the dense mists dissolved in the at- 

 mosphere, the bright luminary at length shone forth. We explored the 

 woods around, guided by some friendly live-oakers who had pitched their 

 camp in the vicinity. After a while the Spark again displayed her sails, 

 and as she silently glided along, we spied a Seminole Indian approaching 

 us in his canoe. The poor dejected son of the woods, endowed with ta- 

 lents of the highest order, although rarely acknowledged by the proud 

 usurpers of his native soil, has spent the night in fishing, and the morn- 

 ing in procuring the superb-feathered game of the swampy thickets; 

 and with both he comes to offer them for our acceptance. Alas ! thou 

 fallen one, descendant of an ancient line of freeborn hunters, would that 

 I could restore to thee thy birthright, thy natural independence, the ge- 

 nerous feelings that were once fostered in thy brave bosom. But the ir- 

 revocable deed is done, and I can merely admire the perfect symmetry of 

 his frame, as he dexterously throws on our deck the trouts and turkeys 

 which he has captured. He receives a recompense, and without smile or 

 bow, or acknowledgement of any kind, off he starts with the speed of an 

 arrow from his own bow. 



Alligators were extremely abundant, and the heads of the fishes which 

 they had snapped off lay floating around on the dark waters. A rifle 

 bullet was now and then sent through the eye of one of the largest, which, 

 with a tremendous splash of its tail, expired. One morning we saw a 

 monstrovis fellow lying on the shore. I jvas desirous of obtaining him 

 to make an accurate drawing of his head, and, accompanied by my as- 

 sistant and two of the sailors, proceeded cavitiously towards him. When 

 within a few yards, one of us fired and sent through his side an ounce 

 ball, which tore open a hole large enough to receive a man's hand. He 

 slowly raised his head, bent himself upwards, opened his huge jaws, 

 swung his tail to and fro, rose on his legs, blew in « frightful manner, 



