222 SUNSHINE AND SPORT IN 



of the garfish family on a hook. One evening I 

 trolled with one among the Bogue Islands, along a 

 gloomy channel that grew depressing in the sink- 

 ing sun, and something grisly, perchance a tarpon, 

 rushed away with the half of my tackle. There is, 

 for those who like such forays with an old trout-rod 

 and single gut tackle, plenty of fun to be had with 

 the smaller fishes of the bay, yellowtail, breams and 

 butterfish, variety enough to stock an aquarium or 

 make a " fry," but not, of course, affording much 

 excitement. I was also much interested in board- 

 ing, under " Dickie's " guidance, one of the Cayman 

 Island schooners and inspecting the ingenious cast- 

 net arrangement in which the turtle are captured. 

 The crew, dear unsophisticated islanders ! who paid 

 me the compliment of taking me for an American, 

 and begged me to ask Mr Roosevelt to annex 

 them, had that morning caught an immense hawks- 

 bill turtle, which they were quite anxious to sell me 

 for thirty shillings, including the removal of the 

 flesh from the shell, the valuable part, so I under- 

 stood, of the bargain. I managed to decline their 

 offer without giving offence and took leave of them. 

 They had two of their ladies on board, quaint, 

 unexciting females, who do the cooking and make 

 themselves at home during the voyage. 



One of the best table-fish in those waters is 

 caught in deep water on handlines carrying many 

 hooks, like those employed for the hideous spada of 

 Madeira. It is called the silk-fish, and justifies that 

 favourite American saying, " fine as silk/' which is 

 current, by the way, in Cornwall. 



One of these days, if anyone has the enterprise 

 to build a good hotel there and appoint " Dickie " 



