Away to the west stretched the Everglades, while to the north and the east lay the dismal cypress swamps.
The party seemed quite alone in the heart of the desolate region.
Leslie started out to explore the strip of elevated land upon which they had passed the night, and he found it stretched back into the woods, where lay great stagnant pools of water and where grew all kinds of strange plants and vines.
Gage had been from the camp about thirty minutes when he came running back, his face pale, and a fierce look in his eyes.
"I have heard of it!" he kept muttering. "I have heard of it! I have heard of it!"
"Avast there!" cried Bowsprit, with an attempt at cheerfulness. "What are you muttering over? What is it you have heard about, my hearty?"
"The serpent vine," answered Gage, wildly.
"What is the serpent vine?"
"You shall see. I did not believe there was such a thing, but it tangled my feet, it tried to twine about my legs, and I saw the little red flowers opening and shutting like the lips of devils."
"Fo' de Lawd's sake! de boss hab gone stark, starin' mad!" cried Black Tom, staring at Leslie with bulging eyes.