330 SOUTH-WEST FLORIDA. 



years the trade has almost ceased. Standing on the 

 dock we noticed a large otter on the opposite side of the 

 river, and tried the effect of a Winchester cartridge. It 

 proved to be a line shot, hut the elevation was too great, 

 and the ball passed about one inch above his head. As 

 certaining that the spring of the Wiccawatchee resem 

 bled those of streams farther north, we deemed it best 

 to forego the pleasure of ascending the river. 



From such data as we were enabled to collect, we 

 have reason to believe that the country back of Bayport 

 is well stocked with bear and deer, and feel assured that 

 the sportsman may secure some excellent sport. The sec 

 tion referred to can be reached by land, by taking stage 

 from Gainesville, or by leaving Ocklawaha steamers at 

 Silver Springs ; conveyance to Ocala and stage from Qcala 

 to Brooksville. At the latter place a vehicle of some 

 description could be obtained, by which Bayport, distant 

 thirty miles, could be reached. The tourist will find 

 the neighborhood of Burkville an interesting locality. 

 The immediate neighborhood is hilly, some of the 

 highest points attaining an altitude of over four hun 

 dred feet. The land is of a superior quality, water first 

 class, and the climate during the summer months unex 

 ceptionable. In the neighborhood the sportsman will 

 find some crystal lakes, surrounded by hills, where he 

 can catch quantum suff. of trout and bream. 



Leaving Bayport astern, we headed for the Chisio- 

 wilski, distant ten miles, which we reached in the after 

 noon. Fortune favored us, and we found the mouth of 

 the river without difficulty. Passing up the river for a 

 distance of five miles, we found two branches, and as a 

 matter of course selected the deepest and plainest, which 

 soon headed in a mud hole, to the disappointment of all. 



