DEVIL FISHING. 65 



Early in the summer of 1844, I suffered from an 

 attack of fever, which induced me to visit Bay 

 Point, during the month of June. When convales- 

 cent, I found excursions after devil-fish, protected 

 from the heat by a sun-awning, a most agreeable 

 restorative. I transfer, from my note-book, a jour- 

 nal of my proceedings for several days, which, 

 though minutely detailed, I trust may not prove 

 tedious. 



JOURNAL. 



BAY POINT, June 20^, 1844. 



Came down this afternoon (Thursday), after a 

 rough passage, having been detained at Beaufort 

 until the tide was two-thirds spent, by a very heavy 

 rain 



Friday, %lst. Went across to Hilton Head to 

 look for devil-fish. Thunder clouds formed while 

 crossing the river at high water; wind southwardly ; 

 had just time to land and reach the house, when it 

 poured. At an hour's ebb, partially cleared off; 

 on reaching the landing, saw numbers of devil-fish 

 close into the shore. Put off, but found them shy, 

 showing themselves but a few seconds at a time 

 above water, then disappearing. Could not get a 

 chance to strike, and, after half an hour's trial, put 

 ashore to avoid another thunder-cloud, which was 

 following exactly in the track of the former. It 



