TO WASHINGTON. 533 
not more than three or four feet deep, even in the mid- 
dle. This depth would admit flat-bottomed vessels of 
large capacity, were it not for the numerous bars which 
intersect them, sometimes leaving but a few inches of 
water; hence, none but flat-bottomed boats can navi- 
gate these waters, and even these may be suddenly 
arrested in their progress, should a norther occur and 
drive the water out of the bays. 
Our course lay through a channel less than twenty 
yards wide for miles, with bars of sand on both sides 
but an inch or two above the water. These were 
covered with myriads of water-fowl, including cranes, 
swans, herons, ibises, geese, ducks, curlews, plover, 
sand-pipers, etc. The large cranes and swans stood 
in lines extending for miles, appearing like a light 
sandy beach or white cliff; and it was impossible to 
dispel the delusion, until the vast flock, with a simul- 
taneous scream that could be heard for miles, rose from 
their resting place. Occasionally, we would round a 
point which concealed a bay the surface of which was 
filled with ducks and geese; these, taking the alarm, 
would rise in one continuous flock, making a noise like 
thunder, as they flapped their wings on emerging from 
the water. Notwithstanding the vast numbers of these 
birds, I shot but few; for the water was so shallow 
that we could not get within gun shot of them with our 
boat. With a light skiff, and a few bushes or a bunch 
of grass, a gunner would have such sport as no other 
portion of the world can surpass. - 
We ran ashore on a beach of shells, knocked up a 
fire of drift-wood, and got breakfast ; after which we 
entered Aransas Bay, separated from the Gulf by St. 
