HUNTING AND FISHING GROUNDS AND PLEASURE RESORTS. 63 
a small sloop or schooner could be chart- 
ered to transport boat, provisions, and 
camp equipage to camping ground. A 
few weeks spent on one of the islands in 
Charlotte Harbor, would do much to re- 
store the invalid. Frost’ are unknown; 
northeasters and northwesters lose their 
injurious influences before reaching these 
favored spots. A weekly mail is receiv- 
ed at Punta Rassa, and supplies could 
be obtained through Capt. McKay, of 
the Valley City. Parties are advised to 
camp on the end of the island, for, by 
pursuing this course, bushes and grass 
would be distant some hundred yards, 
aud in consequence, mosquitoes would 
not prove troublesome. Intending vis- 
itors should secure coast survey charts of 
this harbor, two in number, obtainable 
at any nautical store. Returning north- 
ward, sportsmen could run the coast line 
from Little Gasparilla Inlet to Sarasota 
Inlet, a distance of thirty-eight miles. 
But unless they are familiar with sailing, 
and know how to pick their way between 
bars, and keep clear of breakers, they 
had better take themselves and boat on 
board the Valley City and land at Tampa. 
At Tampa they would find good accom- 
modations by calling upon Lieut. Wall. 
Leaving Tampa Bay, with its islands 
stocked with deer, and every inlet fur- 
nishing superior fishing, they would reach 
Clear Water Harbor by the Indian Pass. 
From Clear Water Harbor they could 
run along within two or three miles of 
the mainland in from three to five feet of 
water. A barrier reef exists from five 
to seven miles from the main land, and 
owing to the shallowness of the water, 
and the grassy nature of the bottom, the 
water is smooth. Bayous, coves, and 
small bays, will be found in numbers 
along the coast line, and a good harbor 
can always be made, The voyageurs 
could enter and examine en route the at- 
tractive and beautiftl springs at the heads 
of the Wiccawatche, Cheseowillshi, Ho- 
mosassa, and Crystal rivers. During 
the Winter months, the gulf is usually as 
calm as a mill pond, and can be safely 
navigated with a seventeen-foot White- 
hall boat; but for the purpose of navi- 
gating shoal water and carrying plunder, 
a batteau is recommended, such as is 
used on the Delaware River. Ifdecked 
over and supplied with a centre-board 
and sail, such a craft would be found 
admirably adapted to the navigation of 
the southwest. Arrangements could be 
made for the cheap transportation of such 
a boat from New York to Cedar Keys 
by the New York and Fernandina line 
of steamers. But if money is no object 
sportsmen should secure a boat with 
sailing master at Cedar Keys, Tampa, 
or Manatee, at an expense of from $4 to 
$5 per day. But many of the boatmen 
along the coast have acquired a weak- 
ness, and if peace is desired the whisky 
bottle must be kept under lock and key. 
IN THE LONE STAR STATE. 
THE ‘‘ PROMISED LAND” —NORTHERN TEXAS. 
All the northen part of Texas, embrac- 
ing both the Cross Timbers as a centre, 
and flanked by extensive priaries on the 
east and west, and abounding in game 
(in their places and season), hold out 
their peculiar charms, and invite the 
sportsman to the tented field. When 
acorns and other mast are plenty, and 
have fallen, then, take to the open woods. 
You will there find deer, ducks, geese, 
and turkeys abundant, quail and rabbits 
plenty, antelope, grouse, and squirrels 
medium, and bear occasionally, to say 
nothing of prairie wolves, foxes, coons, 
possums, &c., not generally noticed. Oc- 
tober, November, and December are the 
