78 THE ENGLISH ANGLER IN FLORIDA vii 



Thursday^ 29M April. — Dull morning, with more wind. Jim did 

 not go out early, but after breakfast went up the town, and started 

 about nine fishing. Blew up to a strong gale, and river got very rough. 

 The fishermen all returned early about three with no tarpon. 



Friday, T,oth April. — Woke at 2.30 a.m. by a bad thunderstorm, 

 which lasted until eleven with pouring rain. No fishing. 



Saturday, ist May. — Jim went out fishing. 



Sunday, 2nd May. — Jim up early and went out fishing. A lovely 

 day; he returned about 4.30 with a large saw-fish on his boat which 

 Mr. Vom Hofe had caught ; he had it on for over two hours before he 

 could see what it was ; it was 1 4 ft. long and 4^ wide, and weighed 

 about 600 lbs. We all photographed it. 



Monday, T^rd May. — Up at 4.30 and had breakfast; went on board 

 the Clara to start at six ; proceeded to Punta Gorda, thence by train to 

 Lakeland and Jacksonville. 



There is really very little in the shape of narrative to add 

 to the entries of this Diary. Lady readers will, no doubt, have 

 Ladies been interested in reading of the sport which Mrs. 

 in Florida. Ward herself enjoyed, and if a lady can endure 

 the heat, mosquitoes, and a certain amount of roughing it in 

 Florida, she might pass a very pleasant time with a lightish 

 rod and tussles with a variety of fish. I managed one day to 

 get a " shot " at the good keeper of our Diary, but it was not 

 under favourable circumstances. The overpowering sun on 

 that May day proved too much for the details one would have 



