
RAMBLES IN ELORIDA. 353 
Here the road runs through wet and swampy ground, with 
lagoons and stagnant water upon the right and left. The sun 
bade us “good night” nearly an hour ago, and objects not 
distant are indistinct in the dusk of the twilight. Presently 
the train moves more slowly, and looking out we see the 
twinkling of lights; like a boy travelling in a lonesome 
place the locomotive whistles, but with the vim of a thou- 
sand fifers, and then comes to a halt. Out we get into the 
darkness and look around; sand is under our feet, and a 
scanty show of vegetation, principally coarse wiry marsh 
grass, is about us, and the air is chilly. With a benediction 
‘upon the inventor of overcoats, we wrap ourselves closely, 
and realize that a fireside would be more comfortable than 
the open air; so with a negro for a guide we start for a 
public house, to await the await of another day before 
farther spying out the pride or hikina of the land. 
Way Key is one of a group of islands known as Cedar 
Keys; itis of small size, irregular outline, and for the most 
part sandy and low, though in some places marshy and wet. 
Here, as at Fernandina, the railroad company have made 
extensive improvements, by the erection of a large freight- 
house, and a substantial wharf for the accom DEO of 
steamers that touch here en route to and from New Orleans, 
Key West and Havana. 
The town consists of a few buildings, not remarkable 
either for architecture or workmanship, and the hotels are a 
practical joke upon the traveller. From the end of the rail- 
road wharf, the disciple of Izaak Walton can enjoy his favor- 
ite pastime by catching trout, which are plenty, and fine fat 
. 9ysters abound in the "neighborhood. Were it not for the | 
fishes and oysters the Bid at the taverns would be wretch- 
edly mean. 









- The se enery, as viewed from the long wharf, is attractive ; 
other islands of the group being quite near. The “old 
town," as it is called, is much better located, in point of 
elevation, than the recent one. 1t is built upon an island 
e name NATURALIST, VOL. III. 45 
