xperienced
sailor would have hesitated to trust himself on such a structure. As
the mosquitoes would have allowed us but little sleep had we attempted
to remain near the lake at night, we returned to our camping-ground on
the ridge, having previously dragged the raft up on shore. On our way I
saw Lejoillie eagerly eyeing the branches of a tree producing a sweet
gum.

"Stop, stop!" he exclaimed, "in case you may alarm it." And he began
opening his butterfly-net, which lay in a case he always carried in his
pocket.

I looked in the direction towards which his eyes were turned, and saw a
magnificent moth sucking gum exuding from a branch. It was more
beautiful than any I had seen. The body was of a flesh colour; the
wings broad and of a tender green, with blue, crimson, and orange spots.
I stopped while he advanced, trembling lest the specimen might escape
him. With what eagerness he closed the net over it! and I felt almost
as rejoiced as he seemed to be that he had captured the treasure. He
told us that it was called the "Attacus luna," and that it was the most
beautiful moth in Florida. The caterpillar produces silk, though it is
not equal to that of the better known silkworm.

The naturalist appeared as delighted to have secured the moth uninjured
as most people would have been to pick up a nugget of gold. By degrees
we had expended a portion of our ammunition and provisions; but as
Lejoillie added to his collection, our loads were not much lightened,
though his bird-skins, moths, and insects were not very weighty
articles.

Tim, who had the morning watch, averred that he had seen a human being
approach the camp, and apparently having examined it, steal off again.
He had advanced and challenged, but no reply was made. His first
impulse, he acknowledged, had been to fire; but he recollected in time
that the intruder might have had no hostile intentions, and, at all
events, as we were not in an enemy's country, he had no business to
shoot the man, whoever he was. Tim was so positive on the subject that
we could not doubt him.

We breakfasted at daybreak, and strapping on our packs, marched down to
the lake, prepared to commence our voyage. Before starting, Jup and I
again ascended a tree overlooking the lake, that I might ascertain
whether there were any islands in our course, or whether, as is often
the case, the surface was covered with water-plants, which might impede
our progress.

All appeared