AMONG THE KEYS. 279 



with fisli of a superior quality. On our return we called 

 at this island to secure a supply of water. I engaged 

 in capturing a mess of fish, and in a short time, with 

 fiddlers for bait, landed the following : cavalli, sheeps- 

 head, red and black grouper, porgy, sea-bass, angel-fish, 

 and catfish. 



Soon after our arrival at Useppa, a fishing schooner, 

 named the Breaker, came to an anchor, and we 

 boarded her, as we fancied we might patch up some 

 information. The captain was named William Smart, 

 and resided at Key West. He had been navigating the 

 south-west coast for twenty-seven years, and appeared 

 thoroughly posted with regard to every island, key, 

 channel, pass, bay, creek, river, and shoal on the coast. 

 During the survey of Charlotte Harbor he had been 

 engaged in the capacity of pilot, and during the last 

 Indian war he was employed in the Quartermaster s 

 Department. He informed me that he owned a fast- 

 sailing sloop of five tons measurement, in every way 

 adapted to the navigation of the south-west coast. He 

 stated that he would fit her up, so as to comfortably 

 accommodate a party of six sportsmen ; supply stove and 

 cooking utensils, and two Mystic-built skiffs. He and his 

 son (an intelligent youth of sixteen) would sail the craft, 

 cook, and render themselves generally useful. For all 

 this fit-out and services, the captain would charge four 

 dollars per day. One great recommendation, in my 

 estimation, is the fact that Captain Smart is a teetotaller. 

 A party of four or six could charter this craft, take 

 steamer at New York, and on arrival at Key West take 

 possession. The tourist could visit the keys, islands, 

 oays, capes, rivers, creeks, harbors, passes, and mainland 

 in fact all the more important hunting and fishing 



