294 ST JOHN'S RIVER IN FLORIDA.
and fell to the earth. My assistant leaped on shore, and, contrary to ray
injunctions, caught hold of the animal's tail, when the alligator, awakening
from its trance, with a last effort crawled slowly towards the water, and
plunged heavily into it. Had he thought of once flourishing his tremendous
weapon there might have been an end of his assailant's life, but he fortunately
went in peace to his grave, where we left him, as the water was
too deep. The same morning, another of equal size was observed swimming
directly for the bows of our vessel, attracted by the gentle rippling
of the water there. One of the officers, who had watched him, fired and
scattered his brain through the air, when he tumbled and rolled at a fearful
rate, blowing all the while most furiously. The river was bloody for
yards around, but although the monster passed close by the vessel, we
could not secure him, and after a while he sunk to the bottom.
Early one morning I hired a boat and two men, with the view of returning
to St Augustine by a short cut. Our baggage being placed on
board, I bade adieu to the officers, and off we started. About four in
the afternoon we arrived at the short cut, forty miles distant from outpoint
of departure, and where we had expected to procure a waggon, but
were disappointed. So we laid our things on the bank, and, leaving one
of my assistants to look after them, I set out, accompanied by the other,
and my Newfoundland dog. We had eighteen miles to go ; and as
the sun was only two hours high, we struck off at a good rate. Presently
we entered a pine barren. The country was as level as a floor ; our
path, although narrow, was well beaten, having been used by the Seminole
Indians for ages, and the weather was calm and beautiful. Now and
then a rivulet occurred, from which we quenched our thirst, while the
magnolias and other flowering plants on its banks relieved the dull uniformity
of the woods. When the path separated into two branches, both
seemingly leading the same way, I would follow one, while my companion
took the other, and unless we met again in a short time, one of us would
go across the intervening forest.
The sun went down behind a cloud, and the south-east breeze that
sprung up at this moment, sounded dolefully among the tall pines.
Along the eastern horizon lay a bed of black vapour, which gradually
rose, and soon covered the heavens. The air felt hot and oppressive,
and we knew that a tempest was approaching. Plato was now our
guide, the white spots on his skin being the only objects that we could
discern amid the darkness, and as if aware of his utility in this respect,
he kept a short way before us on the trail. Had we imagined ourselves
more than a few miles from the town, we would have made a camp, and
remained under its shelter for the night; but conceiving that the distance
could not be great, we resolved to trudge along.
Large drops began to fall from the murky mass overhead ; thick, inpenetrable
darkness surrounded us, and to my dismay, the dog refused
to proceed. Groping with my hands on the ground, I discovered that
several trails branched out at the spot where he lay down; and when I
had selected one, he went on. Vivid flashes of lightning streamed across
the heavens, the wind increased to a gale, and the rain poured down upon
us like a torrent. The water soon rose on the level ground so as almost
to cover our feet, and we slowly advanced, fronting the tempest.
Here and there a tall pine on fire presented a magnificent spectacle, illumining
the trees around it, and surrounded with a halo of dim light,
abruptly bordered with the deep black of the night. At one time we
passed through a tangled thicket of low trees, at another crossed a stream
flushed by the heavy rain, and again proceeded over the open barrens.
How long we thus, half-lost, groped our way, is more than I can tell
you ; but at length the tempest passed over, and suddenly the clear sky
became spangled with stars. Soon after we smelt the salt-marshes, and
walking directly towards them, like pointers advancing on a covey of
partridges, we at last to our great joy descried the light of the beacon
near St Augustine. My dog began to run briskly around, having met
with ground on which he had hunted before, and taking a direct course,
led us to the great causeway that crosses the marshes at the back of the
town. We refreshed ourselves with the produce of the first orange tree
that we met with, and in half an hour more arrived at our hotel.
Drenched with rain, steaming with perspiration, and covered to the knees
with mud, you may imagine what figures we cut in the eyes of the good
people whom we found snugly enjoying themselves in the sitting room.
Next morning, Major GATES, who had received me with much kindness,
sent a waggon with mules and two trusty soldiers for my companion and
luggage.