"out of the depths." 209 



CHAPTER XIV. 



*'OUT OF THE DEPTHS." 



Still upon the same subject, the household larder, you 

 see. But then we feel that we are excusable, for there 

 are few more important or more worthy the attention of 

 the settler, whose bill of * ' ways and means " is apt to be 

 limited ofttimes by a shattered pocket, and quite as often 

 by the state of the local market. 



Our schedule of home supplies is not exhausted, for we 

 have not yet dived down beneath the surflice of the nu- 

 merous lakes, large and small, which are scattered broad- 

 cast over the State. We are ready for the plunge now, 

 however, and have no fear but that we shall find much to 

 bring up " out of the depths." 



But first of all we must have a boat ; for rarely, indeed, 

 can a point be found where the water is deep enough for 

 fishing close in shore with rod and line, except for ''small 

 fry." We have seen human "small fry" roll up their 

 trousers as far as possible and wade out rod in hand ; but 

 this is not quite so comfortable or convenient a method of 

 fishing as a boat would provide, and we very much incline 

 to believe will never become popular, especially among 

 ladies who "go a-fishing," as many do, to the benefit of 

 their health and the increase of their enjoyments. 



The most prevalent ' ' water vehicle " among the old-time 

 residents, and therefore presumably the most fashionable, 

 is the "Florida batteau," in other words, a scow, pure and 

 unadulterated — a roomy boat, and a safe one, guaranteed, 

 if made after the usual broad pattern, not to upset ; but 

 still not so light nor easy to row or to guide as a "water- 

 carriage" of a different build. 



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