FIRST VISIT TO THE BAHAMAS 



crawfish picnic which we were looking forward to was likely to be a disap- 

 pointment if we did not change our tactics, we turned the quest over to 

 our crew, who procured a bucketful in a surprisingly short time. 



Before sundown, we arrived at Mastic Cay and anchored off a sandy 

 beach, a delightful place for bathing and walking on the shore. We brought 

 cooking utensils from the yacht, cut firewood, and our crew prepared for 

 us a meal of conch chowder, broiled crawfish, bacon, bread, coffee, and 

 young coconuts. I consider conchs a real delicacy. They can be eaten raw 

 or cooked in various ways, but they do not appear on the hotel menus in 

 Nassau. Young coconuts were a new experience to me. The meat is of a 

 jelly-like consistency, entirely different from that of the matured ones 

 shipped North. They are very palatable. As we ate, a schooner was sighted, 

 coming towards us. It made a beautiful picture in the sunset. When it 

 came near enough to observe in detail, the lack of recent paint and the dis- 

 colored sails covered with patchwork indicated a lowly place in maritime 

 society. Yet it had a stately bearing which gave it a look of importance. 

 Sailing vessels, like people, have character which can be recognized by the 

 discerning eye in spite of their clothing. We were told that this vessel was 

 the Andros mail. In Nassau, I procured a photograph of her from Mr. 

 Armbrister to whom I am indebted for the accompanying illustration. 



When our unusual and enjoyable repast was finished "All was well with 

 the world." We stretched ourselves on the sand. The mate spun yarns 

 to us about experiences with Mr. J. E. Williamson, by whom he had been 

 employed in the making of undersea moving picture plays. The full moon 

 rose over the cays with that tropical brilliance which works a magic spell 

 on all persons having a spark of sentiment, be they saints or sinners. Alice 

 started her portable graphophone, and the record Blue Moon was meta- 

 morphosed from the silly night club number that it is to a soul lifting and 

 glorious composition. Now, after five years, when I hear that song pre- 



