thunder was heard.

We at length lay down, wrapped in our cloaks, in different parts of the
vessel--on the top of the cargo, or wherever we could find room to
stretch our legs--leaving the little cabin to the judge and his family.
But what with cockroaches crawling over us, and the mosquitoes buzzing
round our ears and running their sharp stings into our flesh, sleep
appeared out of the question. However, I at length did close my eyes.

When I awoke I went on deck. The storm had passed away. Not a breath
of air ruffled the surface of the lagoon, or stirred the boughs of the
surrounding trees,--among which were cypresses, live-oak, water-oak, the
cabbage-palm, and many others, festooned with wreaths of the gorgeous
trumpet-flower of crimson hue, wild-vines, and parasites innumerable;
while a short way off I could distinguish a meadow of tall grass or
reeds a dozen feet in height at least. All nature seemed alive.
Numberless birds, many of large size, flew through the air or waded on
the banks. Among them were the black and white wood-ibis, which
appeared in large flocks from among the branches of the trees; there
were blue herons, snow-herons, pelicans, and cranes. Ever and anon an
osprey could be seen darting into the water, to rise with a fish in his
claws, which he was quickly compelled by the baldheaded eagle to drop.
This true pirate of the air, soaring above on the look-out to deprive
the weaker bird of its prey, generally seized it before it reached the
water. Here and there, among the water-lilies, I caught sight of a
happy family of small alligators, waiting for an opportunity to lay hold
of the legs of some of the waders, who were, however, too cautious to be
so entrapped.

While I was watching, a herd of deer, headed by a fine stag with
branching horns, came down to the water to drink. The sight excited my
sporting propensities; and rousing my father, Lejoillie, and Rochford, I
proposed that we should borrow the schooner's boat, and try to get a
shot at them. The skipper, who had turned out of his bunk forward,
consented to lend it, but advised us to look sharp, as, should a breeze
spring up, he would sail immediately. Rochford, though the best
sportsman of the party, as he shortly afterwards proved, declined to
come. Tim and I took the oars, while my father and Lejoillie held their
rifles ready to fire, as soon as we got near enough.

On leaving the schooner we kept close to the bank, so that we