160 WRECKERS OF FLORIDA.
The duties of the Marion having been performed, intimation of our
intended departure reached the Wreckers. An invitation was sent to me
to go and see them on board their vessels, which I accepted. Their object
on this occasion was to present me with some superb corals, shells,
live turtles of the Hawk-billed species, and a great quantity of eggs. Not
a " pecayon" would they receive in return, but putting some letters in my
hands, requested me to " be so good as put them in the mail at Charleston,'"
adding that they were for their wives " down east." So anxious
did they appear to be to do all they could for me, that they proposed to
sail before the Marion, and meet her under weigh, to give me some birds
that were rare on the coast, and of which they knew the haunts. Circumstances
connected with " the service p prevented this, however; and
with sincere regret, and a good portion of friendship, I^bade these excellent
fellows adieu. How different, thought I, is often the knowledge of
things acquired by personal observation, from that obtained by report
I had never before seen Florida Wreckers, nor has it since been my
fortune to fall in with any; but my good friend, Dr BENJAMIN STROBEL,
having furnished me with a graphic account of a few days which he spent
with them, I shall present you with it in his own words.
" On the 12th day of September, while lying in harbour at Indian
Key, we were joined by five wrecking vessels. Their licences having expired,
it was necessary to go to Key West to renew them. We determined
to accompany them the next morning, and here it will not be amiss
for me to say a few words respecting these far-famed Wreckers, their
captains and crews. From all that I had heard, I expected to see a
parcel of dirty, pirate-looking vessels, officered and manned by a set of
black-whiskered fellows, who carried murder in their very looks. I was
agreeably surprised on discovering that the vessels were fine large sloops
and schooners, regular clippers, kept in first-rate order. The Captains
generally were jovial, good-humoured sons of Neptune, who manifested
a disposition to be polite and hospitable, and to afford every facility to
persons passing up and down the Reef. The crews were hearty, welldrest,
and honest-looking men.
" On the 13th, at the appointed hour, we all set sail together, that is,
the five Wrreckers and the schooner Jane. As our vessel was not noted
for fast-sailing, we accepted an invitation to go on board of a Wrecker.
The fleet got under weigh about eight o'clock in the morning, the wind
light but fair, the water smooth, and the day fine. I can scarcely find
WRECKERS OF FLORIDA. 161
words to express the pleasure and gratification which I this day experienced.
The sea was of a beautiful soft, pea-green colour, smooth as a
sheet of glass, and as transparent, its surface agitated only by our vessels
as they parted its bosom, or by the Pelican in pursuit of his prey, which
rising for a considerable distance in the air, would suddenly plunge down
with distended mandibles and secure his food. The vessels of our little
fleet, with every sail set that could catch a breeze, and the white foam
curling round the prows, glided silently along, like islands of flitting
shadows, on an immovable sea of light. Several fathoms below the surface
of the^water, and under us, we saw great quantities of fish diving
and sporting among the sea-grass, sponges, sea-feathers, and corals, with
which the bottom was covered. On our right hand were the Florida
Keys, which,"as we made them in the distance, looked like specks upon
the surface of the water, but as we neared them, rose to view as if by enchantment,
clad in the richest livery of spring, each variety of colour and
hue rendered soft and delicate by a clear sky and a brilliant sun over
head. All was like a fairy scene; my heart leaped up in delighted admiration,
and I could not but exclaim in the language of SCOTT,
" Those seas behold,
Round thrice an hundred islands rolled."
The trade-wind played around us with balmy and refreshing sweetness ;
and, to give life and animation to the scene, we had a contest for the
mastery between all the vessels of the fleet, while a deep interest was excited
in favour of this or that vessel, as she shot ahead, or fell astern.
About three o'clock in the afternoon, we arrived off the Bay of
Honda. The wind being light, and no prospect of reaching Key West
that night, it was agreed that we should make a harbour here. We
entered a beautiful basin and came to anchor about four o'clock. Boats
were got out, and several hunting parties formed. We'landed, and were
soon on the scent, some going in search of shells, others of birds. An Indian,
who had been picked up somewhere along the coast by a Wrecker,
and who was employed as a hunter, was sent ashore in search of venison.
Previous to his leaving the vessel, a rifle was loaded with a single ball,
and put into his hands. After an absence of several hours, he returned
with two deer, which he had killed at a single shot. He watched until
they were both in range of his gun, side by side, when he fired and
brought them down.
VOL. III. L