Florida Swamps and Forests 
left down the brier line, and after scrambling a 
mile or so, perspiring and bleeding, I discov- 
ered the blessed trail and escaped to dry land 
and the light. Reached the captain at sun- 
down. Dined on milk and johnny-cake and 
fresh venison. Was congratulated on my sin- 
gular good fortune and woodcraft, and soon 
after supper was sleeping the deep sleep of 
the weary and the safe. 
October 22. This morning I was easily pre- 
vailed upon by the captain and an ex-judge, 
who was rusticating here, to join in a deer hunt. 
Had a delightful ramble in the long grass and 
flowery barrens. Started one deer but did not 
draw a single shot. The captain, the judge, 
and myself stood at different stations where the 
deer was expected to pass, while a brother of the 
captain entered the woods to arouse the game 
from cover. The one deer that he started took 
a direction different from any which this par- 
ticular old buck had ever been known to take 
in times past, and in so doing was cordially 
cursed as being the “d. dest deer that ever 
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