EPISODES 363 



to account, we were on board Mr. Thruston's boat at three 

 next morning. Pursuing our way through the deep and 

 tortuous channels that everywhere traverse the immense 

 muddy soap-like flats that stretch from the outward Keys 

 to the Main, we proceeded on our voyage of discovery. 

 Here and there we met with great beds of floating sea- 

 weeds, which showed us that Turtles were abundant there, 

 these masses being the refuse of their feeding. On talking 

 to Mr. Thruston of the nature of these muddy flats, he 

 mentioned that he had once been lost amongst their nar- 

 row channels for several days and nights, when in pursuit 

 of some smugglers' boat, the owners of which were better 

 acquainted with the place than the men who were along 

 with him. Although in full sight of several of the Keys, 

 as well as of the main land, he was unable to reach either 

 until a heavy gale raised the water, when he sailed directly 

 over the flats, and returned home almost exhausted with 

 fatigue and hunger. His present pilot often alluded to the 

 circumstance afterwards, ending with a great laugh, and 

 asserting that had he " been there, the rascals would not 

 have escaped." 



Coming under a Key on which multitudes of Frigate 

 Pelicans liad begun to form their nests, we shot a good 

 number of them, and observed their habits. The boastings 

 of our pilot were here confirmed by the exploits which he 

 performed with his long gun, and on several occasions he 

 brought down a bird from a height of fully a hundred 

 yards. The poor bird, unaware of the range of our artil- 

 lery, sailed calmly along, so that it was not difficult for 

 " Long Tom," or rather for his owner, to furnish us with 

 as many as we required. The day was spent in this man- 

 ner, and towards night we returned, laden with booty, to 

 the hospitable home of the pilot. 



The next morning was delightful. The gentle sea- 

 breeze glided over the flowery isle, the horizon was clear, 

 and all was silent, save the long breakers that rushed over 



