THE BAY OF HONDA. 213 



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

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

 overhead. All was like a fairy scene ; my heart leaped up in 

 delighted admiration, and I could not but exclaim, in the 

 language of Scott, 



Those seas behold, 



Round thrice an hundred islands rolled. 



The trade winds 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 excited in this or that vessel, as she shot 

 ahead or fell astern. About three o'clock of 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 we should 

 make a harbour here. We entered a beautiful basin, and came 

 to anchor about four o'clock. Boats were launched, and several 

 hunting parties formed. We landed, and were soon on the 

 scent, some going in search of shells, others of birds. An 

 Indian who had been picked up somewhere along the coast by 

 some wrecker, and who was employed as a hunter, was sent on 

 shore 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 absence 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. All hands having returned, and the fruits 

 of our excursion being collected, we had wherewithal to make 

 an abundant supper. Most of the game was sent on board of 

 the larger vessel, where we proposed supping. Our vessels 

 were all lying within hail of each other, and as soon as the 

 moon arose, boats were seen passing from one to the other, and 

 all were busily and happily engaged in exchanging civilities. 

 One would never have supposed that these men were pro- 

 fessional rivals, so apparent was the good feeling that prevailed 

 amongst them. About nine o'clock we started for supper. A 

 number of persons had already collected, and as soon as we 

 arrived on board the vessel, a German sailor, who played 

 remarkably well on the violin, was summoned to the quarter- 



