Narrative of Bahama Expedition. 109 



he informed us that we must bring the vessel up to the dock 

 for the fumigation. The wind would have been directly in the 

 teeth of a vessel trying to reach the dock by the only visible 

 channel, and we asked for a tug to tow us in. No tug nor 

 steam vessel of any kind was at the station, it seemed. " Well, 

 then," said Captain Flowers, '"give us a kedge-anchor and we 

 will 'kedge' in," This also was not to be had at the Tor- 

 tugas, and we began to think that it was a trifle unreasonable 

 to expect a sailing vessel to get up to that dock, and indeed 

 further reflection has confirmed that idea. During about four- 

 fifths of the quarantine season the wind blows directly ahead 

 for any vessel trying to work up that channel to the fumigat- 

 ing dock. The passage is too narrow to permit any but very 

 small craft to beat through it, and the government insists on 

 all vessels coming to the dock for fumigation-, without provid- 

 ing any steam power, or even a spare kedge-anchor, where- 

 with to make it possible to comply with the regulation. 



For our part, we were not at all concerned in hurrying 

 matters, but proceeded to get out our collecting gear, feeling 

 sure that the shores of the surrounding islets, and the extensive 

 sand-flats showing in brightest green beneath the water^ 

 would afford entertainment until Providence should send a fair 

 wind, or the government a tug. The boats were lowered, and 

 a party set out for Bird Key, the largest of the uninhabited 

 islets of the group. We were not permitted as yet to land on 

 Garden Key or Loggerhead Key, upon the former of which 

 is the fort, and upon the latter a light - house. Captain 

 Flowers and I took the ship's boat and a couple of the crew, 

 with the intention of enjoying a plunge in the clear water 

 around some low, sandy islands near the fort. Upon nearing 

 the shore, we noticed a number of black objects moving along 

 in the shallow water. We at first thought that they were 

 porpoises, although they did not act like them. A few strokes 

 of the oars brought us right into the midst of the creatures, 

 and we found with wonder, and a touch of consternation, that 

 the shoal was fairly alive with sharks! There must have been 

 at least seventy-five of these ugly animals in the immediate 



