62 
THE SPORTSMAN’S AND TOURIST’S GUIDE. 
going steamships. The rates of fare can 
be obtained by inquiry at any of the com- 
panies offices. Jacksonville or Fernan- 
dina reached, the sportsman can take 
railroad daily, except Sunday, for Cedar 
Keys. If Homosassa is the objective 
point, a boat can be hired at from eight 
to ten dollars for the trip, or if disposed | 
the intending tourist or sportsman can 
communicate with Alfred E. Jones, at 
Homosassa, and if timely notice is given, 
Mr. Jones would meet his guests at Ce- 
dar Keys and land them at his attractive 
home, free of charge. The only diffi- 
culty attending this arrangement is the 
fact, that there is but one mail per week 
to Homosassa, arriving on Mondays. 
Homosassa can be reached by another 
route: Steamer from Jacksonville to Sil- 
ver Spring, a natural curiosity that 
should be visited by every tourist. Hack 
from Silver Spring to Ocala, fare $1. 
From Ocala to Homosassa, a distance of 
thirty-six miles, over a good road, in 
a comfortable vehicle, $10 to $12, de- 
pendent upon number of passengers, 
Board at Homosassa, from $8 to $12 
per week; accommodations good, table 
excellent; fishing and shooting superior; 
and the rooms large and airy; verandahs 
spacious; fresh milk and butter; oysters 
and oranges ad libitwm. Bronson is a 
point on the Fernandina & Cedar Keys 
Railroad, thirty miles from the latter 
place. The ponds in the neighborhood 
afford fine bass fishing ; quail and duck 
are plenty, and the sportsman may suc- 
ceed in shooting turkeys or deer. <Ac- 
commodations, hotels, $15; private 
boarding houses, $12; board $1 per day 
or $5 per week. For information inter- 
view Mr. G. Levet. With the excep- 
tion of climate, bathing and _ fishing, 
Cedar Keys presents but few attractions 
for tourists or sportsmen. The hotel ac- 
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commodations can not be recommended 
as Al. Sportsmen arriving at Cedar 
Keys and requiring information need but 
call upon Mr. Gore, editor of the local 
paper, or on Willard & Roux. The 
steamer Valley City, commanded by that 
jolly sea dog, Capt. McKay, leaves Ce- 
dar Keys every Friday for Tampa, 
Manatee, Punta. Rassa, and Key West. 
Parties desirous of ascending the Caloo- 
sahatchie River, or of spending a few 
weeks on the coast, could take steamer 
to Punta Rassa, and from there ascend 
the river or explore Charlotte Harbor. 
For ’gator shooting, ascend the Caloosa- 
hatchie to the upper islands, six miles 
above Fort Myers, and thirty-one from 
Punta Rassa. Above the islands the dis- 
ciple of Old Izaak can put in all bis 
spare time in landing cavilli ranging 
from five to fifteen pounds. For fight 
and pluck this fish can be recommended. 
They take the spoon or spinner without 
hesitation, and we doubt if a salmon fly 
would be objectionable. For hunting and 
sea fishing, Tanibel, La Costa, or Gas- 
parilla Islands are suggested. For a 
camping place for the invalid who re- 
quires a bracing sea breeze, an equable 
temperature, salt bathing, and life-giving 
sunbeams, camp on the northern end of 
Gasparilla Island. The island -is two 
miles in length, and is well stocked with 
deer. At the entrance, or Little Gas- 
parilla Pass, the fishing is unequalled. 
On the opposite flats beach birds are 
more than abundant. The mainland is 
distant about three hundred yards. In 
the centre of the island a lagoon with 
excellent water will be found; but by 
digging a hole in the sand (and putting 
an empty barrel in it) from twenty to 
eighty yards from the bay beach, fair 
drinkiug water can be obtained at low 
tide. Ifa party landed at Punta Rassa, 
