A SPORTSMAN S PARADISE. 339 



bank at the clearing, lighted our fire, and had not pro 

 ceeded over eighty yards before we noticed four fine deer 

 within thirty yards. Fortunately for the deer, Frank 

 had an acute attack of the buck fever and aimed at the 

 Pleiades. While he was taking aim I heard voices at the 

 house ; hence here was deer shooting within a reasonable 

 distance from home. Next day I suggested another 

 hunt, and intimated that I would try my luck. After 

 supper, several visitors, Harry, Frank, Mr. J. s nephew, 

 Fifteenth Amendment Dick, and Al Fresco seven in all 

 left for the clearing, truly a sufficient number to prevent 

 the possibility of securing a deer. We lighted our fire, 

 and had not proceeded over one hundred yards before I 

 noticed four deer within twenty yards of the light, but 

 owing to the noise made by the seven pairs of feet 

 tramping through the dry grass, they were alarmed, and 

 before I could step in front of the light to insure accu 

 racy of aim they bounded into the hammock. Look 

 ing to the right I noticed a pair of eyes at a distance of 

 probably eighty yards. I gave him both barrels, and 

 although wounded he escaped. Those who are posted will 

 remark that it was madness to attempt fire hunting 

 with such a retinue, and I am prepared to admit the 

 nselessness of the proceeding, but I dislike to be selfish 

 and insist on engaging in the sport with but one com 

 panion. On the first occasion our party numbered five, 

 and on the last seven, and if deer can be so easily ap 

 proached by such numbers, what would be the result if 

 the sportsman carried his own head light, or was merely 

 attended by the pan carrier. 



Salt river is a tidal channel, extending from the 

 Homosassa to the Crystal river, and is about ten miles in 

 length, with its bottom literally paved with large and 



