Page:Ornithological biography, or an account of the habits of the birds of the United States of America, vol 2.djvu/329

Rh In the morning when I arose, the country was still covered with thick fogs, so that although I could plainly hear the notes of the birds on shore, not an object could I see beyond the bowsprit, and the air was as close and sultry as on the previous evening. Guided by the scent of the jerkers' works, we went on shore, where we found the vegetation already far advanced. The blossoms of the jessamine, ever pleasing, lay steeped in dew ; the humming bee was collecting her winter's store from the snowy flowers of the native orange ; and the little warblers frisked alons; the twigs of the smilax. Now, amid the tali pines of the forest, the sun's rays began to force their way, and as the dense mists dissolved in the at- mosphere, the bright luminary at length shone forth. We explored the woods around, guided by some friendly live-oakers who had pitched their camp in the vicinity. After a while the Spark again displayed her sails, and as she silently glided along, we spied a Seminole Indian approaching us in his canoe. The poor dejected son of the woods, endowed with ta- lents of the highest order, although rarely acknowledged by the proud usurpers of his native soil, has spent the night in fishing, and the morn- ing in procuring the superb-feathered game of the swampy thickets; and with both he comes to offer them for our acceptance. Alas ! thou fallen one, descendant of an ancient line of freeborn hunters, would that I could restore to thee thy birthright, thy natural independence, the ge- nerous feelings that were once fostered in thy brave bosom. But the ir- revocable deed is done, and I can merely admire the perfect symmetry of his frame, as he dexterously throws on our deck the trouts and turkeys which he has captured. He receives a recompense, and without smile or bow, or acknowledgement of any kind, off he starts with the speed of an arrow from his own bow.

Alligators were extremely abundant, and the heads of the fishes which they had snapped off lay floating around on the dark waters. A rifle bullet was now and then sent through the eye of one of the largest, which, with a tremendous splash of its tail, expired. One morning we saw a monstrovis fellow lying on the shore. I jvas desirous of obtaining him to make an accurate drawing of his head, and, accompanied by my assistant and two of the sailors, proceeded cavitiously towards him. When within a few yards, one of us fired and sent through his side an ounce ball, which tore open a hole large enough to receive a man's hand. He slowly raised his head, bent himself upwards, opened his huge jaws, swung his tail to and fro, rose on his legs, blew in « frightful manner,