July-November 1897, Botany Trip with Sargent and Canby Image 38

after 9 P.M. Went aboard and sailed about 1 A.M. the negroes singing as they wheeled away the freight, a merry set barefooted in the rain on sloppy deck; kept us from sleeping. [Nov 17]. Sailing on the deep blue water of gulf outside of all the keys and shoals, the ship Miami rolling, but if any sick, not many passengers; fine series of lighthouses said to be well kept all along the coast. Arrived about 4 P.M. Took short walk by old fort, ate piece of cocoanut wh grew here; children cracked it, had hard work getting it out of thick husk. [Nov 18]. Start at 5:30 A.M. for Pilatka, arrive about 5 P.M. Went to a show, lady sang, played guitar and danced. [Nov 19]. Walked along river, very beautiful banks, the largest hickory trees and thriftiest ever saw, lves dark green said to stay on until Jan, almost evergreen, very widespreading branches, 3 ft dia; magnify noble tree. The largest magnolia grandif 100 ft h, 4 or 5 ft dia, noble in form, much character in post and mode of branching. The sunshine glances and glowing on glossy dark lves, throwing off spangles; finest ever saw. Start at 11:30 for Cedar Keys, got on train, waited over an hour for arrival of another train. A crowd of negroes in Sunday dress attracted by some prisoners that were on the train, stood about the cars, boys, girls, comic babies. Close by there was a grove of pines, Cuban or long leaf or both, and I was anxious to get cones. The ground was wet and swampy, so I offered a negro barefoot lad a nickel if he bring me a cone. Instantlyhttps://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/jmj-all/3571/thumbnail.jp