BIRDS OF THE BAHAMA ISLANDS. 35 



CHAPTER VII. 



INAGUA. 



Mathewstown, which can boast of being the only white settle- 

 ment on the island, resembles Nassau on a small scale. A good 

 deal of salt is manufactured here, and the quantity exported every 

 3'ear is considerable for the size of the place. Cocoanut groves 

 are being started, and, on the whole, the island is in a prosperous 

 condition. 



About ten miles back of Mathewstown there is a large lake, 

 which, we had been told, was fairly alive with game at all seasons 

 of the year, and to see this wonderful lake had been one of the main 

 objects of my visit. On the next day after our arri\-al, we spent 

 the afternoon arranging for the trip. In the evening the boats were 

 placed upon small carts, barely large enough to hold them, which 

 were to be drawn by small but strong donkeys, guns were cleaned, 

 ammunition looked over, and everything prepared for an early start 

 the next morning. 



May 27. — It was three o'clock, and so dark that the outline of 

 the shore was barely visible by the dim light of the stars, when 

 we left the vessel. Some time was spent in getting everything 

 arranged, but it was still dark when the sleepy negro, who was to 

 act the part of driver, announced everything in readiness to start. 



