Paddling under Palmettos — page 172: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Paddling Under Palmettos. 165 the reptile tumbled off his sunning spot into the water. Water-moccasins could be seen, too, their yellow folds flashing through the dark water of the river. These things become tiresome, especially when the adventurous explorer is constantly surrounded by a cloud of sand flies, and his face and neck burn- ing as though he had applied a mustard plaster. So they turned back, anxious to get to salt water again, Here they could breathe more easily. There was a bracing richness in the breeze and salty air that invigorated them. If they carried out their original plans and crossed to the gulf coast they would see all they wanted of the interior. Better enjoy the coast while they . could. On the way back Ned suddenly snatched up his Winchester. They saw him take a quick aim and fire. Then came a tremendous shriek as of a demon. A dark body sprang through the air and alighted upon the forward deck of the Sachem. Archie had just time to see a pair of yellow Gomichbooks (E(@) m