32 



ALONG THE FLORIDA REEF. 



was taken up the long broad walk, over the 

 drawbridge, and into the big fort. 



The doctor was assigned quarters in a small 

 brick cottage on the west side, and here the 

 party speedily made themselves at home. Knap- 

 sacks were emptied, boxes unpacked, the alcohol 

 was poured into numerous small cans ; books and 

 drawing implements, microscopes, and other ap- 

 paratus were placed in order on a large table in 

 an adjoining room, after which the exjoedition 

 was, as Dick said, " ready for business." The 

 weather was delightful ; the mellow moonlight 

 streamed through the open window, and from 

 the distant reef came the sullen roar of the surf, 



above which was heard 

 occasionally the cry of 

 a laughing gull. 



Next day the great 

 fort was thoroughly 

 explored. The boys 

 wandered throuo-h the 

 groves of cocoa palms 

 and bay cedar that gave Garden Key its name, 

 paced the cedar avenue that led up to head- 



Inside Fort Jefferson. 



