The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1872-04-27

apparently discussing the feasibility Of
our U. S. Alabama Claims. The cab
bage palmetto seems TO be the only
growth along the river, aud in general,
the only wood grown in that country.
We arrived at Fort Tayloron Thursday
at 2 o'cloek-made our boat fnst TO a
DIRE lglng machine belonging to the afore
said Improvement Company We Ian.
ded at beautiful palmetto grove. We
found orange trees recently set. There
we're several old settlers who came many
miles over.the country to meet our boat.
bringing their wives and daughters.
They had various articles to trade, such
as deer, alligator and COW hides, wild
turkeys, &c. This being the first trip
OF the boat, the fact was not known
generally, but there will hereafter be n
larger concourse Of settlers.
This lake at its nearest point is about
ten miles from Indian river. After
concluding the trading, we cast off
lines for return to our poiut Of depar.
Notwithstanding, at IL o'clock p. NJ
arriviogat Rediick landing, at 6 clock
next day, took gu board several Indian
River settlers Here we learned that
as our party III promiscuously shooting
birds, &C., 90 going up, the shots came
Ia close proximity to some of the natives
heads and they were inclined to respond
in the same kind, but upon calm refee
tion didn't do IT,
The raising Of cattle Is the general
pursuit OF these people, which they do
to large extent. They own from 500
to 10000 head One passenger who
came on board with us. told me be was
the owner of 5000 They are worth
irom So to Sl5 per head, and weigh
from 200 to 900 pounds each, and are
all driven up and the increase branded
once year. The cost is nothing to
raise them, as they feed ou government
and state lands. They require Que
herdsman TO thousand head. They
double their number once in three years
They are shipped to Cubs, Charleston
and Savannah, from Puutn Rosa on the
Gull OF Mexico. Sweet potatoes remain
in the ground here for years, large ones
sproutlug and filling the ground again /;
fresh corn, peas aud all kinds Of yege.
tables. are always in abundance.
Our table fare on the steamer was
equal to any of the city hotels Wild
turkey, venison and all kinds Of meats
and vegetables, in their season. A large
plckerel was SHIT by one of our party.
as the boat was stopped at the bend in
the river, Captain l., Of Maine. be
ing deceived by little sand deposited
by the water on the muck, he in his
zeal jumped to secure the fsh, but he
found himself far down in the mud, but
was soon rescued, amid shouts of laugh
ter, minus the fsh-he jumped at the
sudden conclusion that Florida lands
were not "real estate" We amused
ourselves in shooting moccasin snakes.
alligators, birds, &c; Que of the party
shot beautiful white heron; it was OF
the most delicate white. aud had the
finest plumage | ever saw. A little
scrimmage occurred on board between
the steward and deck hand-both of
them colored-the deck hand got a blow.
which Knocked him overheard. Our
Captain came to the rescue, and settled
the matter in a littls discussion with
his fist, though it resulted in a consid
erable injury to the captains fist, as the
negro's head proved to be the hardest.
This over, everything assumed quiet
aspect We were surprised to lind tha,
birds we're so unguarded as TO make
their nests in the tops of cane, whore
the eggs were collected readily from the
steamer while passing through. We
found very refined and philaulhropic
Snowman, whowas desirous Of entertain
ing MS with an alligator fight Cor the
moderate sum of $500. The tempting
offer not being accepted, he proposed to
do so, free OF charge. lie suspended
them with a rope aud exclaimed, Ego in,
you raseals; ! they seemed to take the
meaning of this very readily. and com
meneed biting each other. Nature has
kindly cared for them in the way OF
teeth, IN a manner which has no call for
dentists manufactured rubber Gums
This entertainment took place by torch
light, which made it very impressive
scene.
We proceeded homeward, nothing Of
Importance occurring, aud reached Jack
sonvillc on Sunday morning at seven
and a half o'clock; the day being appro
pirate, the party sung the doxology as
we neared the wharf We take a spe
elal pleasure in recommending Captain
Paine and his steamer TO all our North
crn friends who are ia search of health
or pleasure, and advise them not to leave
Florida without making this trip. II
will be found both instructive aud en-
teftaining to old and young.