334: SOUTH-WEST FLORIDA. 



attempt the navigation of this section without a pilot, 

 we would say, Shorten sail, keep a good look-out, and 

 &quot;go easy over the rough places.&quot; 



11. A. SPORTSMAN S PARADISE. 



THE morning after our arrival at the mouth of the 

 Tlomosassa we were moving by daylight, and after 

 breakfast followed in the wake of our new friends, as 

 their boatmen professed to be acquainted with the chan 

 nel. We had not proceeded over one mile before wo 

 found the Spray to be hard and fast on a cove-oyster bar. 

 As the boat belonging to our new friends was light draught, 

 they left us alone in our glory. Finally we found the 

 channel, and proceeded but a short distance when we 

 discovered what appeared to be two rivers, and we nat 

 urally followed the widest. By the use of the lead we 

 found the channel to shoal rapidly, so we returned and 

 took the right-hand stream, and after sailing a distance 

 of four miles we sighted a residence on a high shell bank 

 and an attractive boat-house at the water s edge. As we 

 reached the landing, the rain descended in torrents, and 

 we pushed the stern of the Spray under the boat-house. 

 We had barely secured the boat before a youth presented 

 himself and invited us to accept the hospitalities of the 

 house. We inquired for Mr. Jones, and were informed 

 that he was absent, so we politely declined the invitation 

 so hospitably extended. As it was blowing a gale we 

 deemed it prudent not to light a fire in our stove, but 

 indulged in a homeopathic meal, consisting of three red 



