280 SOUTH-WEST FLORIDA. 



points &quot;between Key West and Cedar Keys when the 

 party could take the cars for home. Having had a 

 limited experience of climate and him ting and fishing on 

 the south-west coast, I wish to continue it, and would 

 only be too happy to join from three to five congenial 

 spirits, in the fall of 1875, to charter the sloop referred 

 to, and do up in a thorough manner sections that I have 

 merely prospected, and others that I have not visited. 



Leaving the fishing ranch on the north end of La- 

 costa Island, and steering a course north-east by east 

 eight miles, a deep bay, without islands, shoals, or mud- 

 banks, will open up. From this point a course north by 

 west twelve miles will reveal the broad entrance to Peas 

 creek, which stream can be ascended for eighty miles. 

 Reliable parties, who have visited and who reside upon 

 this stream, have assured me that its banks present a 

 fine field for deer and turkey hunting. Crossing the 

 head of the bay, six miles in a westerly direction from 

 Peas creek, the Myokka river will open up. From state 

 ments received, I have reason to believe that the Myokka 

 is the home of the alligator, the place where the big 

 fellows live, exist, and have their being. The limited 

 time at our disposal would not admit of our visiting 

 these attractive streams, but we hope at some future 

 time to examine them and perforate a few of those 

 gigantic saurians. 



Leaving Useppa, a course south-east by east must be 

 steered until the south-west portion of Pine Island is 

 abeam and distant one mile, then cast by north until 

 Punta Kassa bears north by east three-quarters of a mile. 

 From this point a northerly course will bring the dock 

 at the telegraph station. Leaving Useppa four miles 

 astern, we sighted a small &quot;coon oyster&quot; island. It 



