AUDUBON AND BOONE, 145 
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 narrow 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 ex- 
hausted 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 Peli- 
cans had 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 
birds, unaware of the range of our artillery, sailed calmly 
along, so that it was not difficult for “Long Tom,” or rather 
for its owner, to furnish us with as many as we required. 
The day was spent in this manner, 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 the distant 
reefs. As we were pisoree towards some Keys, seldom 
