route to Tampa to Miami. The party followed the old Government
trail until it reached Fort Shackleford. From there the men were on
their own, in completely unexplored country.

The weary party reached Miami 23 days later. Parts of Mr.
Ingraham's diary; recording day-to-day events, give a general idea of
what the men suffered as they hacked and hewed their way, pushing
and pulling the canvas canoes over places where the water was too
shallow to float them For instance:

"March 19. Went into camp at Fort Shackleford at 11 A. M. At
noon Lucy, an old Indian squaw, and her grand-daughter came into
camp for dinner. Lucy is 75 years old, bright and talkative. She says she
is the wife of Osceola, the great chief (he had died in a South Carolina
prison more than a half century before). The grand-daughter is the
daughter of Billy Bowlegs...

"March 25. One mile today; heavy walking all day through saw-
grass. Had to abandon the wooden boat, also one canvas boat. Extra
clothing, tools, cooking things, etc., abandoned today. Soil very rich.
Sawgrass impossible to get boats through without too heavy work, or by
abandoning boats. Packing supplies on men's backs found impracticable
on account of bogging...

"March 27. The glades are more open to the south, water deeper
and bottom softer in spots. No perceptible current; - mud very deep,
men frequently bogging up to their arm pits where