140 WILD SCENES AND WILD HUNTERS. 
level ground so as almost to cover our feet, and we slowly ad« 
vanced, fronting the tempest. Here and there a tall pine on 
fire presented a magnificent spectacle, illumining the trees 
around it, and surrounded with a halo of dim light, abruptly 
bordered with the deep black of the night. At one time we 
passed’ through a tangled thicket of low trees, at another 
crossed a stream flushed by the heavy rain, and again pro- 
ceeded over the open barrens. 
How long we thus, half-lost, groped our way, is more than 
I can tell you; but at length the tempest passed over, and 
suddenly the clear sky became spangled with stars. Soon 
after we smelt the salt-marshes, and walking directly towards 
them, like pointers advancing on a covey of partridges, we at 
last to our great joy descried the light of the beacon near 
St. Augustine. My dog began to run briskly around, having 
met with ground on which he had hunted before, and taking 
a direct course, led us to the great causeway that crosses the 
marshes at the back of the town. We refreshed ourselves 
with the produce of the first orange tree that we met with, 
and in half an hour more arrived at our hotel. Drenched 
with rain, steaming with perspiration, and covered to the 
knees with mud, you may imagine what figures we cut in the 
eyes of the good people whom we found snugly enjoying 
themselves in the sitting room. Next morning, Major Gates, 
who had recgived me with much kindness, sent a wagon with 
mules and two trusty soldiers for my companion and luggage. 
Availing himself of his letters again, he now went on board 
a revenue cutter, the “ Marion.” 
As the “Marion” neared the inlet called “Indian Key,” 
which is situated on the eastern coast of the peninsula of 
Florida, my heart swelled with uncontrollable delight. Our 
vessel once over the coral reef that every where stretches 
along the shore like a great wall, reared by an army of giants, 
we found ourselves in safe anchoring ground, within a few 
furlongs of the land. The next moment saw the oars of a 
