. Not a human being could we see, the only animal life visible
being some lean wild cattle, which found a scanty subsistence in the
natural grasses which had sprung up where the palmetto-scrub had been
burned. Frequently we had to turn aside to avoid the swampy ponds
fringed with saw-grass. The surface of these ponds was covered with
water-lilies of various hues, amid which alligators large and small
popped up their heads, warning us not to approach too near. Tall
sand-hill cranes stalked about uttering loud whoops, until, disturbed by
a shot from one of our rifles, they flew off to a distance. Turkey
buzzards, useful but disgusting-looking birds, were feeding on the
carcasses of some of the cattle which had died from disease, or been
bitten by rattlesnakes. Near the edges of the ponds we observed the
tracks of numbers of these snakes. Probably the cattle, going down to
drink, had trodden on some of the creatures, and been bitten in return.
We killed several which lay in our path.

We had been unable to get near any of the wild cattle, nor had we come
across any deer, so that, with the exception of a duck, two snipes, and
a plover, we had shot nothing that would serve for our supper. At last
a hummock appeared in the distance ahead, and towards it we directed our
course, intending to camp near its borders at an early hour, so that we
might have time to obtain a supply of large game. As we approached the
hummock, we found it to be of considerable size, and apparently denser
than usual; still we hoped to be able to make our way into it in search
of deer.

I have already described the various trees which grow on these
hummocks,--enormous cabbage-palms and cotton-trees, scarlet maples and
cedars, black and white gum-trees, magnolias, and many others, the whole
festooned with creepers and hung with air-plants of gorgeous hues. The
spot we chose for our camp was a high sandy ridge, on which grew a group
of pines, affording shelter and firewood, while a stream flowed near,
into the bottom, where it was lost to view.

Carlos, who was tired and somewhat out of sorts, remained with Tim and
Jup to form the camp, while Lejoillie and I set out with our guns in
search of game. We had not gone far when my companion fired at a duck
of peculiar and beautiful plumage, with a black body and white tuft on
its head. We hurried forward in pursuit between the thick trees, eager
to secure the prize. The duck, however, again rose