216 ALONG THE FLORIDA KEEF. 



choice shell or coral, the party gradually com- 

 pleted the circuit of Bird Key, or the Isle of 

 Birds, as Tom named it, and shoved off into the 

 blue channel that led toward home. 



As they neared the fort, Tom, who was at 

 the helm, steered the Mosetta near a spile that 

 took the place of the buoy, and as they passed 

 by he stepped upon it and the boat shot on. 



