midnight
We found nothing very different from what we had seen . Our sportsmen brought in large quantities of small game , upon which we feasted , and we sailed about the lake , exchanging hospitalities with the people who treated us like old friends . After spending three days at Leesburg , we started on Friday noon , March 22 , as I find it in my diary , which I kept in place of the logbook of the Sylvania , on our trip down the river . In order to get the fullest idea of travelling on the Ocklawaha , Cobbington rigged out the sheet iron pans , with which the boat was provided for burning light wood , and other combustibles that would give a bright blaze , and the run was continued till midnight . The effect was exceedingly picturesque ; and the ladies , wrapped in their shawls and water-proofs , were delighted with the view of the forest , illuminated by the bright fires . The trees , the trailing moss , and the openings in the woods assumed weird shapes , and the alligators were as frisky as though they were attending a grand ball . At midnight , the ladies began to yawn , and had evidently seen enough of the dazzling spectacle ; and the boat was moored to a tree for the rest of the night .