28 ALONG THE FLORIDA REEF. 



The new-comers were pilots, wreckers, and 

 fishermen. Long John, as his name indicated, 

 Avas remarkably tall, over six feet, and very 

 thin, with the reddest face imaginable, set off 

 by a head of very spare gray or yellow hair. 

 Bob Rand was short and stout, with a face, if it 

 were possible, even redder than John's. 



The men greeted the boys cordially. Long 

 John was very talkative, while Bob Rand would 

 take off his glazed hat, scratch his head, and 

 prepare to speak, when Long John would an- 

 swer for him. As this happened on almost 

 every occasion when Long John was present, 

 Bob rarely entered into the conversation. But 

 the boys found him a good friend and agreeable 

 companion in the long months that followed, 

 both men being with them almost constantly. 



The morning was perfect. To the starboard 

 and north a large key was seen, apparently 

 hanging in the water. This was East Key, 

 while beyond it Middle and Sand Keys appeared 

 like bits of silver against the blue of the Gulf. 

 Dead ahead was Bush Key; beyond lose the 

 grim walls of a great fortress, while still farther 



