116 FORT CAPROX. 



the long hair of these latter is likely to harbor the 

 numerous sanguinivorous insects which there abound ; 

 its mild climate is also more suitable to the nature of 

 the pointer. 



Your correspondent Fred Beverly makes honorable 

 mention of a gallant exploit of one of his followers whom 

 he calls Jim. Now, if he alludes to &quot; Jim&quot; Russell, 

 of Fort Capron (and I am pretty sure he does), I am 

 happy to state that I am well acquainted with &quot; Jim/ 

 and have had many a jolly day s sport in his company. 

 During a sail-boat trip to Merrit s Island, in company 

 with Lieutenant, now General, Jeff. 0. Davis, of Captain 

 Jack notoriety, and several others, among whom was 

 our hero, we had occasion to take along a famous pointer 

 of mine, Old Nat by name, for the purpose of vary 

 ing our amusement by a little snipe shooting. Now, 

 although Old Nat s moral status was none of the best, 

 for he would &quot; steal like a quartermaster,&quot; yet his 

 admirable hunting qualities made him a great favorite 

 with all. Like most of his species, he was very fond of 

 consulting his own comfort and convenience. At the 

 fort he was accustomed to sleep in a nice shady spot on 

 my porch, and seeing a similar locality on the boat, 

 produced by the shadow of the main-sail, he soon 

 ensconced himself therein. After getting through with 

 his snooze, and thinking himself, no doubt, still in his 

 accustomed spot at home, he suddenly got up, and, 

 much to our surprise and dismay, leaped overboard. As 

 there was a violent gale blowing at the time, the &quot; white 

 caps &quot; running angrily, and, furthermore, as the dog s 

 chain soon became entangled with his legs, his peril 

 became extreme. AVc luffed up promptly ; but in spite 

 of all our efforts the fate t)f the dog seemed sealed, 



