Florida Swamps and Forests 
and some respectable-looking houses with gar- 
dens. These little fenced fields look as if they 
were intended to be for plants what cages are 
for birds. Discovered a large, treelike cactus 
in a dooryard; a small species was abundant 
on the sand-hillocks. Reached Gainesville late 
in the night. 
When within three or four miles of the town 
I noticed a light off in the pine woods. As I was 
very thirsty, I thought I would venture toward 
it with the hope of obtaining water. In creep- 
ing cautiously and noiselessly through the 
grass to discover whether or no it was a camp 
of robber negroes, I came suddenly in full view 
of the best-lighted and most primitive of all 
the domestic establishments I have yet seen 
in town or grove. There was, first of all, a big, 
glowing log fire, illuminating the overleaning 
bushes and trees, bringing out leaf and spray 
with more than noonday distinctness, and 
making still darker the surrounding wood. In 
the center of this globe of light sat two negroes. 
I could see their ivory gleaming from the great 
[ 105 ] 
