not been unwilling to expend our ammunition, we might
have killed scores of the monsters. We passed one huge fellow swimming
slowly down the stream, with a number of birds on his back, to which
also was attached a whole forest of boughs, reeds, and water-plants, so
that he had the appearance of a floating island. Lejoillie was of
opinion that he had been wallowing in the mud, as his back was thickly
covered with slime, to which the water-plants and boughs had become
attached so firmly that he was unable to shake them off. It was curious
to see several birds flying about him; or settled on his back,
exhibiting the most perfect fearlessness.

We encamped on a spot of much the same character as we had chosen on the
previous night. A short distance behind rose a rich hummock, where
live-oak, mahogany, mulberry, gum, cabbage-palm, and other valuable
trees and shrubs, grew together in the greatest luxuriance. Beyond it
stretched a savanna, where our pilot told us we should find abundance of
small birds. At daylight we took our guns, and went in search of them.
We saw plenty of quails, gorgeously coloured red-birds and blue-birds,
and mocking-birds of sweet tone, but no animals of any size, though we
came across not a few black snakes and rattlesnakes; the former, being
harmless, were allowed to live, but we never failed to shoot off the
heads of the latter.

We returned with a good bag of quails, which afforded us a luxurious
supper. As game would not keep many hours, we had to eat it at once, or
throw it away. We formed our camp with more care than usual, as our
guide suggested that there might be Indians in the neighbourhood, or
that a panther or a bear might pay us a visit, while it was not
impossible that an alligator might come foraging into our camp. We kept
up a large fire, therefore, and one of the party remained on watch, each
man taking a turn of a couple of hours. About midnight we were aroused
by a most fearful bellowing. We started to our feet, and, supposing
that some unknown monsters were approaching, seized our rifles and
pistols, ready to defend ourselves. On looking about, however, we could
see nothing. Our pilot's laugh reassured us.

"Those are only 'gators," he said; "it's the sort of music they're fond
of, and it's no use trying to stop them. They'll not come on shore
while the fire burns brightly. As long as they keep in the water,
they're welcome to make all the noise they like."