red men bent over the long sweeps, and followed by a hearty
cheer from the crew of the schooner, the scow moved slowly up the
river. In a few minutes a bend hid St. Mark's and the tall masts of the
Nancy Bell from sight, and on either side of them appeared nothing but
unbroken forest.

The river seemed narrow and dark after the open sea to which the Elmers
had been so long accustomed, and from its banks the dense growth of
oak, cedar, magnolia, palm, bay, cypress, elm, and sweet gum trees,
festooned with moss, and bound together with a net-work of vines, rose
like walls, shutting out the sunlight. Strange water-fowl, long-legged
and long-billed, flew screaming away as they advanced, and quick
splashes in the water ahead of them told of the presence of other
animal life.

At sunset they were nearly two miles from St. Mark's, and opposite a
cleared spot on the bank, where was piled a quantity of light-wood or
pitch-pine. Here the captain and owner of the lighter, who was a young
white man named Oliver Johnson, proposed that they should tie up for
the night.

To this Mr. Elmer consented, and as soon as the boat was made fast to
the bank, active preparations were begun for cooking supper, and for
making everything as snug and comfortable as possible.

A large sail was stretched across some poles, in the form of a tent,
over the after-part of the lighter, and beneath this two comfortable
beds were made up from the abundant supply of mattresses and blankets
belonging to the Elmers. Jan Jansen and Captain Johnson, who, Mark
said, must be related, as their names were the same, spread their
blankets in the forward end of the boat. On shore the negro crew built
for themselves a thatched lean-to of poles and palm-leaves beside the
fire, that was already throwing its cheerful light across the dark
surface of the river.

While the men were busy arranging the shelters and bedding, Mrs. Elmer
and Ruth, assisted by one of the negroes, were cooking supper over a
bed of coals that had been raked from the fire. A huge pot of coffee
sent forth clouds of fragrant steam, and in two frying-pans some
freshly caught fish sizzled and browned in a most gratifying and
appetizing manner. In a couple of kettles hung over the fire hominy and
sweet potatoes bubbled, boiled, and tried to outdo each other in
getting done. Fresh-made bread and a good supply of butter had been
brought from the schooner. When the supper was all ready, and spread
out