FLORIDA.


ble cabin of the stage-station, where we obtained lodg-
ings which, though very rough, were acceptable after our
ride of twenty-six miles. The route had been through a
slightly rolling pine-wood region, with a dark soil of
average fertility, few lakes, no settlers, and very little
hammock.
 Early next morning we were out looking about the


ranch, a plain little roughly
rounded by numerous out-hous
variety of tropical plants we
was a genuine curiosity, an o
a native of Maine, who came
vate of the Second Regiment
the Seminoles in 1835, and has
After a breakfast, abundant
resumed our journey, passing
in all respects to that traversed
ly and monotonous, rolling pine


no settlers, but abundance of
 At noon we reached the
about fifty feet wide and
crossed it on a well-construd


river th
being a
soil and
and hoi
we wer<
afternoc
fatigued
been o0


e appearance of the
high, rolling, open
a heavy growth of
uses, gardens and g
e once more in a re


)n
i,
rer


pulling fo


con
es,
re
ld
to
U


structed building, sur-
and a garden, where a
thriving. The keeper
regular army veteran,
this country as a pri-
. S. Artillery to fight


remained here ever since.
but rudely prepared, we
through a region similar
on the previous day, lone-
r-land of average fertility,


game.
Hillsborough River, a stream
eight or ten feet deep, and
acted toll-bridge. Beyond the
country changes very much,
-hammock region, with fair
native wire-grass. Clearings


Tove
gion


we at last drove into
dusty, and hungry.
very sandy and pare
hr the tired horses;


glad when we
inviting-looking


halted at last i
hotel, that mud


s, began to appear, and
of settlers. Late in the
Tampa, very hot, much
The last few miles had
%hed roads, making hard
and we felt exceedingly
n front of a cool, quiet,
3h resembled a neat and


comfortable village dwelling.
 We had completed a long


journey seldom


taken-a


*