A thousand-mile walk to the Gulf . h venison and1 113 ] A Thousand-Mile Walk caller fish from the sea, I set out for thegrand palm grove. I had seen these dazzlingsun-children in every day of my walk throughFlorida, but they were usually standing soli-tary, or in groups of three or four; but to-dayI was to see them by the mile. The captainled me a short distance through his corn fieldand showed me a trail which would conductme to the palmy hummock. He pointed outthe general direction, which I noted upon mycompass. Now, said he, at the other side of myfarthest field you will come to a jungle of
A thousand-mile walk to the Gulf . h venison and1 113 ] A Thousand-Mile Walk caller fish from the sea, I set out for thegrand palm grove. I had seen these dazzlingsun-children in every day of my walk throughFlorida, but they were usually standing soli-tary, or in groups of three or four; but to-dayI was to see them by the mile. The captainled me a short distance through his corn fieldand showed me a trail which would conductme to the palmy hummock. He pointed outthe general direction, which I noted upon mycompass. Now, said he, at the other side of myfarthest field you will come to a jungle of cat-briers, but will be able to pass them if youmanage to keep the trail. You will find thatthe way is not by any means well marked, forin passing through a broad swamp, the trailmakes a good many abrupt turns to avoid deepwater, fallen trees, or impenetrable will have to wade a good deal, and in pass-ing the water-covered places you will have towatch for the point where the trail comes outon the opposite side. [114]. A FLORIDA PALMETTO HUMMOCK, OR HAMMOCK Florida Swamps and Forests I made my way through the briers, which instrength and ferocity equaled those of Tennes-see,followed the path through all of its dimwaverings, waded the many opposing pools,and, emerging suddenly from the leafy dark-ness of the swamp forest, at last stood freeand unshaded on the border of the sun-drenchedpalm garden. It was a level area of grasses andsedges, smooth as a prairie, well starred withflowers, and bounded like a clearing by a wallof vine-laden trees. The palms had full possession and appearedto enjoy their sunny home. There was nojostling, no apparent effort to outgrow eachother. Abundance of sunlight was there forevery crown, and plenty to fall between. Iwalked enchanted in their midst. What alandscape! Only palms as far as the eye couldreach! Smooth pillars rising from the grass,each capped with a sphere of leaves, shiningin the sun as bright as a star. The silence andcalm
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