40 THE ENGLISH ANGLER IN FLORIDA iv 



of Florida. He was going to visit Mr. and Mrs. McGregor, who 

 very kindly saw that he caught a big tarpon before he left, which 

 for a man of his years is a great accomplishment. We had a 

 lovely journey, as there was a delicious breeze. One cannot see 

 much of the country on such a trip, as the rivers are so wide and 

 the steamer keeps in the middle, except at the ports, where she 

 touches to land passengers, mails, etc. Passed a lot of small porpoises, 

 which kept right along by the boat ; coming up the Caloosahatchie 

 Rhver passed the boats out fishing for tarpon. Fort Myers looks very 

 pretty from the river — all the wooden houses with their verandahs in 

 amongst the green orange groves, and large palm trees. Landed 

 about 3 P.M., and after looking at the Hendry House decided to stay 

 at Myers Inn. Have two nice rooms, unpacked our things, had 

 dinner, and went to bed, very tired and hot. 



Wednesday, 'jih April. — Got up about seven, and after breakfast put 

 our things straight and looked about the village, which is a funny 

 little place, with a street running even with the river, with a good 

 many stores, which the men seem to laze about outside ; in these 

 parts they work very little. In the afternoon, sailed over and rowed 

 up to Yellow Fever Creek, which is very pretty along the banks, 

 with their mangoes, big palms, palm fans, and large ferns. Jim^ 

 fished with the Phantom minnow, hooked five fish, but lost all, 

 which was unlucky. Saw a Moccasin snake curled upon some 

 rushes ; Jim shot him. We also saw some ducks and water turkey. 

 Lovely day, and in the evening no breeze. The tarpon boats had 

 to row back. One gentleman brought home three fish weighing 

 i6o lbs., 123 lbs., and 71 lbs. ; they looked very handsome, lying so 

 silvery in the moonlight. 



^ "Jim " in these entries means Rowland Ward. 



