Page:Ornithological biography, or an account of the habits of the birds of the United States of America, vol 2.djvu/349

Rh face of the water and its craggy bottom, to seek for curious shells in their retreat seemed to him more pastime than toil. Not a Cormorant or Pelican, a Flamingo, an Ibis, or Heron, had ever in his days formed its nest without his having marked the spot ; and as to the Keys to which the Doves are wont to resort, he was better acquainted with them than many fops are Avith the contents of their pockets. In a word, he posi- tively knew every channel that led to these islands, and every cranny along their shores. For years his employment had been to hunt those singular animals called Sea Cows or Marratees, and he had conquered hundreds of them, " merely," as he said, because the flesh and hide bring " a fair price," at Havannah. He never went anywhere to land without " Long Tom," which proved indeed to be a wonderful gun, and which made smart havoc when charged with " groceries," a term by which he designated the large shot which he used. In like manner, he never paddled his light canoe without having by his side the trusty ja- velin, with which he unerringly transfixed such fishes as he thought fit either for market or for his own use. In attacking turtles, netting, or overturning them, I doubt if his equal ever lived on the Florida coast. No sooner was he made acquainted with my errand, than he freely offer- ed his best_services, and from that moment until I left Key West he was seldom out of mv hearing.

While the young gentlemen who accompanied us were engaged in procuring plants, shells, and small birds, he tapped me on the shoulder, and with a smile said to me, " Come along, I'U shew you something better worth your while." To the boat we betook ourselves, with the Captain and only a pair of tars, for more he said would not. answer. The yawl for a while was urged at a great rate, but as we approached a point, the oars were taken in, and the pilot alone skulling, desired us to make ready, for in a few minutes we should have " rare sport," As we advanced, the more slowly did we move, and the most profound silence was maintained, until suddenly coming almost in contact with a thick shrubbery of mangroves, we beheld, right before us, a multitude of pelicans. A discharge of artillery seldom produced more effect ; — the dead, the dying, and the wounded, fell from the trees upon the water, while those unscathed flew screaming through the air in terror and dismay. " There," said he, " did not I tell you so ; is it not rare sport .?" The birds, one after another, were lodged under the gunwales, when the pilot desired the Captain to order the lads to pull away. Within about half a mile we reached the extremity of the key. " Pull away," cried the pilot, " never