AMONG THE KEYS. 275 



referred to, some fishermen s palmetto huts will be 

 sighted, where fresh water can be obtained, and a safe 

 harbor found. 



Boca Grande entrance is nearly a mile wide, with 

 deep water and a rapid tidal current. If a strong south 

 erly wind is blowing against an ebb tide, a troublesome 

 sea will be encountered at this entrance, and the tourist 

 must govern his movements accordingly. Along this coast 

 the tides differ from those of our Northern States. In 

 stead of two tides in the twenty-four hours, but one 

 flood and one ebb will be found. At this point I may 

 remark, that the bays north of Tampa are remarkable 

 for extensive mud and grassy flats, and coon oyster bars, 

 rendering navigation difficult to the uninitiated. The 

 water in all the bays is very clear, and if too much sea is 

 not running the tourist can pick his way through the 

 intricate channels by observing the color of the water. 

 A day s experience in one of these bays, with a few ex 

 periments in stepping overboard and pushing his boat 

 off oyster bars and mud flats, will educate him sufficiently 

 to avoide the necessity of the frequent utterance of 

 language not adapted to ears polite. 



3. AMONG THE KEYS. 



IN my last communication I referred to a spade as 

 a portion of our outfit, aud mentioned the fact that a 

 supply of fresh water could be obtained at the fish ranch 

 on the northern end of Lacosta Island. To the tourist, 

 a supply of fresh water is indispensable, and if his boat 

 is small the quantity carried must be limited, and how 

 to obtain a supply is an important matter. Nearly 



