CHAPTER XVII.....245

The Everglades Expedition, under Colonel Harney, 1841--Preparations--Spanish Indians--Leave Fort Dallas, arriving at Chitto's Island--The bird flown--Sam Jones's Island, containing villages and pleasure-grounds--The soldiers greatly annoyed by roaches and musquitoes--Prophet's Island--Discovery by Indians--Sergeant Searles mortally wounded--Arrival at New River--Fort Dallas--General appearance and extent of the Everglades--Manilla hemp and the cotton-plant indigenous--Return of Colonel Harney--Grand ovation in St. Augustine--Sorrowful reflection on the situation--Present inhabitants of the Everglades--Old Tiger Tail--Intrenches himself in Mexico as brigand, afterward makes his way to Florida, and becomes chief of the Seminoles--Father Dufau goes to the Everglades as a missionary--"Two squaws no good"--Dress of the Indians--Everglade alligators and moccasins no respecters of persons--Primeval condition of the country, with its trees, birds, and native growth.