A NATURALIST. 73 



acquaintance accidentally called to see me, during 

 the season of sun-fish, it was always in my power to 

 lessen our dependence on the endless bacon. I could 

 also always select the finest and largest of these fish, 

 as, while standing up in the boat, one could see a 

 considerable number at once, and thus choose the 

 best. Such was their abundance, that the next day 

 would find all the nests reoccupied. Another cir- 

 cumstance connected with this matter gave me no 

 small satisfaction : the poor blacks, who could rarely 

 get time for angling, soon learned how to use my net 

 with dexterity; and thus, in the ordinary time al- 

 lowed them for dinner, would borrow it, run down to 

 the shore, and catch some fish to add to their very 

 moderate allowance. 



JOHN. 



