180 LIFE OP AUDUBON. 



torrent. The water soon rose on the level ground, so as almost 

 to cover our feet, and we slowly advanced, fronting the tempest. 

 Here and there a tall pine on fire presented a magnificent 

 spectacle, Ulumining the trees around it, and surrounded with 

 a halo of dim light, abruptly bordered with the deep black of 

 the night. At one time we passed through a tangled thicket of 

 low trees, at another crossed a stream flushed by the heavy 

 rains, and again proceeded over the open barrens. How long we 

 thus, half lost, groped our way, is more than I can tell you, but 

 at length the tempest passed over, and suddenly the clear sky 

 became spangled with stars. Soon after we smelt the salt 

 marshes, and walking directly towards them — like pointers 

 advancing on a covey of partridges — we at last, to our great 

 joy, descried the light of the beacon near St. Augustine. My 

 dog began to run briskly around, and having met with ground 

 on which he had hunted before, and taking a direct course, led 

 us to the great causeway that crosses the marshes at the back 

 of the town. We refreshed ourselves with the produce of the 

 .first orange-tree that we met with, and in half a,n hour more 

 arrived at our hotel. Drenched with rain, steaming with per- 

 spiration, and covered to the knees with mud, you may imagine 

 what figures we cut in the eyes of the good people whom we 

 found snugly enjoying themselves in the sitting-room. Next 

 morning Major Gates, who had received me with much kind- 

 ness, sent a waggon with mules and two trusty soldiers for my 

 companion and the luggage." 



