152 WILD SCENES AND WILD HUNTERS. , 
while our only and constant beverage was water and molasses, 
I found that in these warm latitudes, exposed as we constantly 
were to alternate heat and moisture, ardent spirits and more 
substantial food would prove dangerous to us. The officers, 
and those persons who from time to time kindly accompanied 
us, adopted the same regimen, and not an individual of us 
had ever to complain of so much as a headache. 
But we were under the mangroves—at a great distance on 
one of the flats, the Heron, which I have named Ardea oce?- 
dentalis, was seen moving majestically in great numbers. 
The tide rose and drove them away, and as they came towards 
us, to alight and rest for a time on the tallest trees, we shot 
as many as I wished. I also took under my charge several 
of their young, alive. 
At another time we visited the “Mule Keys.” There the 
prospect was in many respects dismal in the extreme. As I 
followed their shores, I saw bales of cotton floating in all the 
coves, while spars of every description lay on the beach, and 
far off on the reefs I could see the last remains of a lost ship, 
her dismantled hulk. Several schooners were around her; 
they were wreckers. I turned me from the sight with a 
heavy heart. Indeed, as I slowly: proceeded, I dreaded to 
meet the floating or cast ashore bodies of some of the unfortu- 
nate crew. Our visit to the Mule Keys was in no way pro- 
fitable, for, besides meeting with but a few birds in two or 
three instances, I was, whilst swimming in the deep channel 
of a mangrove isle, much nearer a large shark than I wish 
ever to be again. 
“The service” requiring all the attention, prudence and 
activity of Captain Day and his gallant officers, another cruise 
took place, of which you will find some account in the sequel ; 
and, while I rest a little on the deck of the Lady of the 
Green Mantle, let me offer my humble thanks to the Being 
who has allowed me the pleasure of thus relating to you, kind 
reader, a small part of my adventures. 
