THE KING-FISH, OR BARB. 



177 



son, a lad of twelve years of age. They commenced fishing 

 at half past seven in the morning, spent half an hour in dining 

 at noon, and quit fishing at half past one; having taken with 

 their rods in the six hours, four hundred and seventy-two 

 king-fish. Their guide was Joseph Bannister. None of 

 these fish were taken by him, as he was diligently employed 

 during the whole time in preparing bait. That it may not 

 be said that this was a wanton waste of one of the finest kinds 

 of fish produced in our waters, it is deemed right to add, that 

 a large number of families in the neighborhood were supplied 

 gratuitously with them, and none of this lot of noble fish 

 were wasted. Mr. Bannister will be found on inquiry at 

 Mrs. Phebe Hicks' boarding house, where the parties were 

 staying. , This house is most cheerfully recommended for its 

 delightful situation, great cleanliness, excellent fare and kind 

 and obliging family, as well as for the highly respectable 

 company usually frequenting it. 



tf, B. Mr. Bannister provides a boat and bait, and is the 

 oarsman for the day. His charge is $1.25." 



The friend who so well describes the king-fish, and his 

 particular grounds, is among the few who have enjoyed the 

 pleasant sport of taking this rare and active game, informs me 

 that since the period alluded to, they have visited the harbo. 

 of New-York but seldom and in small quantities. As there 

 is a time for everything, there will no doubt be times when 

 the barb will condescend to call on the angling community 

 of the goodly city of Gotham, when the foregoing instruction* 

 wiD be sufficient to make them "Non semper non paratus." 



