164 ADVENTURES OF THREE YOUNG NATURALISTS. 



The little party had gone to Key West from New York, and came 

 to this point up the Florida Reef in a wrecking schooner to the mouth 

 of the Miami river, and had pushed their way some three or four miles up 

 this stream. They had pitched their three spacious yale tents on the north bank 

 of the river. This was their first collecting trip. After arranging their be- 

 longings and getting their camp in order, the intention of the Professor was 

 to gather specimens in all branches of natural history, but he was most de- 

 sirous of collecting birds, their nests and eggs, and mammals. 



CHAPTER II. 

 First Acquaintance with the Seminoles. 



As our little party drew near the open section that skirted the river 

 near which their camp was placed, Paul, who was walking in advance, sud- 

 denly exclaimed, "See there! Who are those?" at the same time pointing 

 up the stream, the waters of which were plainly visible from where he stood. 



44 Seminole Indians," promptly answered the Professor, looking in the 

 direction which Paul indicated. There were two of them seated in a dug- 

 out, or canoe, made of a single cypress log. One man was seated in the 

 stern of the little craft, while the other was crouched near the middle. Both 

 were using long, double bladed paddlers and, as they had the current in their 

 favor, were gliding along very rapidly. When first seen, the canoe and its 

 occupants were a considerable distance^ np the stream. 



44 1 wish to speak to them," said the Professor, " so let us intercept 

 them. 



Thus saying, he hurried forward followed by the boys who did not ut- 

 ter a word, so astonished were they, for although they had heard the Pro- 

 fessor speak of the Indians, it had not occurred to them that they would 

 encounter Seminoles thus early in their trip. The party reached the river 

 bank a little in advance of the Indians who. after giving one glance at the 

 whites, fixed their eyes straight down the stream. 



Of course they must have been greatly surprised, not only to see the 

 tents in such a lonely place, but also to see the strangers, yet not an ex- 

 pression of any emotion whatever was visible in their countenances. The 

 river at this point was only some thirty or forty yards across, and as the 

 Seminoles kept the middle of the stream, were within easy speaking distance. 



" Will they stop now ? " asked Paul. 



44 Wait a moment," said the Professor, 44 and I will see what I can 

 do to induce them to do so." 



By this time, the canoe and its occupants were nearly opposite, but 



