YACHTING ON THE ST. JOHNS. 177 



gales, and beyond is a superb beach for driving, bathing, 

 cricket, or croquet. From the bluff the view is of course 

 very fine, and all the commerce of the St. Johns river 

 passes near at hand. The cleared part of the island has 

 a palmetto avenue that has no equal, and the forests are 

 more varied than any that are accessible by drives. 

 Shell mounds supply material for fine roads, and many 

 drives are being laid out that are wonderfully beautiful. 

 There is but little of the dreary formal pine ; but huge 

 bearded oaks that are worthy of druidical homage, and 

 stately palmettoes, cast deep wide shadows, while orange 

 trees and flowering vines and shrubs fill in the scene with 

 luxuriant bloom and foliage. At St. Augustine the 

 beaches are inaccessible to carriages, and distant by 

 boats, but here they are where one can turn to them 

 from the shaded avenues. The fishing is fine, to my 

 knowledge, as my fisherman took a thirty-five pound 

 bass from my skiff. 



For lingering places for late March, April, and May, 

 these islands supply just what all feel the need of. No 

 arrangements are yet made for general accommodation, 

 but plans are maturing that, when executed, will supply 

 a new and valuable resort to already attractive Florida, 

 and more tempting to yachtmen than any now existing. 



Eeturning from this rambling disquisition upon drift 

 ing in one s own craft, we come back to our own for the 

 time, and tie her to the wharf at Orange Bluff, above Lake 

 George. Night has fallen, and we light a pitch-pine fire, 

 rind cook thereon while enjoying the picturesque effect 

 of the rich, mellow light that illumines our boat against 

 the dark river, and brings out here and there a tree in 

 bright relief. Some hunters join us, light their pipes, 

 and take their nightcap from our flask. The stories of 

 8* 



