THE GULF COAST OF FLORIDA. 231 



oak forests; its dense sea-ash thickets; its everglades; its 

 flaming-hued water birds ; its deer, turkeys, and the thousand 

 and one other attractions that render it so dear to a sportsman 

 and a lover of nature. 



Though I may in future years visit every famous hunting 

 ground on the continent; though all such trips may be emi- 

 nently successful, I can never hope to experience more 

 genuine pleasure in so short a period of time than I did in 

 this four days on the Myakka river. I shall ever cherish it in 

 my memory as one of the brightest, most romantic and excit- 

 ing episodes of my whole life. 



We arrived at Mr. Webb's just as the sun was going down 

 among the white caps on the Gulf, and on the morrow began 

 preparations for our return North. We packed our trunks, 

 taking great care to put our collection of specimens in in such 

 a manner that they would carry safely. Mr. Webb loaded 

 about thirty boxes of oranges, our baggage and two days pro- 

 visions into the little " Sea Bird." By this time night had 

 arrived, and it being our last night here we concluded to go 

 fire-fishing once more. 



As soon as it was dark, Jack, Mr. Griffith and myself took 

 the spears, lit our fire in the fishing-jack and pushed off. We 

 had excellent sport and killed a large number of fine fish. 

 Among the number was one angel-fish, a variety we had not 

 caught before. We also killed a good-sized sting-ray, and I 

 preserved his tail. It is only an inch in diameter at the base 

 and twenty-three inches long. We returned to the house 

 about nine o'clock, having taken over sixty pounds of fish. 



The next morning, December nth, we stepped on board 

 the "Sea Bird." Mr. and Mrs. Griffith, Jack, my wife and 

 I, and sailed for Manatee, where we were to take the steamer 

 for Cedar Key. 



We got into the Mangroves at low tide, about noon, 



