210 LIFE OF AUDUBON. 



we all thought, bow trim, how clean rigged, and how well 

 manned. She swims like a duck, and now, with a broad sheer, 

 off she makes for the reefs, a few miles under our lee. There 

 in that narrow passage, well known to her commander, she 

 roUs, tumbles, and dances like a giddy thing, her copper sheathing 

 now gleaming, and again disappearing under the waves. But 

 the passage is made, and now, hauling ou the wind, she resumes 

 her former course, and gradually recedes from the view. 

 Eeader, it was a Florida wrecker. When at the Tortugas, I 

 paid a visit to several vessels of this kind, in company with my 

 friend Kobert Day, Esq. We had observed the regularity and 

 quickness of the men then employed at their arduous tasks, and 

 as we approached the largest schooner, I admired her form, so 

 well adapted to her occupation, her great breadth of beam, her 

 light 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 native tars. Silence and order »pre- 

 vailed on her decks. The commander and the second officer 

 led us into a spacious cabin, well lighted, and furnished with 

 every convenience for fifteen or more passengers. The former 

 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 ex- 

 pressing my admiration of any particular 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 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 



