AUDUBON AND BOONE. 13% 
to the windward of our vessel, from which the breeze’ came 
laden with no sweet odors. 
In the morning when I arose, the country was still covered 
with thick fogs, so that although I could plainly hear the 
‘notes of the birds on shore, not an object could I see beyond 
the bowsprit, and the air was as close and sultry as on the 
previous evening. Guided by the scent of the jerkers’ works, 
we went on shore, where we found the vegetation already far 
advanced. The blossoms of the jessamine, ever pleasing, lay 
steeped in dew; the humming bee was collecting her winter’s 
store from the snowy flowers of the native orange; and the 
little warblers frisked along the twigs of the smilax. Now, 
amid the tall pines of the forest, the sun’s rays began to force 
their way, and as the dense mists dissolved in the atmosphere, 
the bright luminary at length shone forth. We explored the 
woods around, guided by some friendly live-oakers who had 
pitched their camp in the vicinity. After awhile the Spark 
again displayed her sails, and as she silently glided along, 
we espied a Seminole Indian approaching us in his canoe. 
The poor dejected son of the woods, endowed with talents of 
the highest order, although rarely acknowledged by the proud 
usurpers of his native soil, has spent the night in fishing, and 
the morning in procuring the superb-feathered game of the 
swampy thickets; and with both he comes to offer them for 
our acceptance. Alas! thou fallen one, descendant of an 
ancient line of freeborn hunters, would that I could restore 
to thee thy birthright, thy natural independence, the generous 
feelings that were once fostered in thy brave bosom. But 
the irrevocable deed is done, and I can merely admire the 
perfect symmetry of his frame, as he dexterously throws on 
our deck the trouts and turkeys which he has captured. He 
receives 2 recompense, and without smile or bow, or acknowl- 
edgment of any kind, off he starts with the speed of an arrow 
from his own bow. 
Alligators were extremely abundant, and the heads of the 
