FOREST AND STREAM 
227 
the same allowance on liis vernier sight for such apparent 
deviation, and the result of the shots of all the members 
for that round be carefully recorded. The result would 
show whether the proper allowance had been made, and if 
n0 t subsequent rounds, conducted as before, would show 
what corrections are required. 
Sixth. Any changes occurring during any day, either in 
the atmospheric conditions or in the club practice, should 
be carefully noted, so as to ascertain the causes which may 
require modification of elevation. 
Seventh. For the purpose of educating the members of 
the club to a correct estimate of the wind force, a wind 
2ua o- e should also be erected on the club ground, and the 
force of the wind from time to time recorded, with its di¬ 
rection as to the range. The same lateral allowance should 
be made by each member on the scale of the muzzle sight, 
and the corrections required ascertained by the results of 
each round. 
Eighth. Every shot should be made under the directions 
of some competent captain, who should have absolute au¬ 
thority over the sighting of each member of the club, so 
as to insure uniformity. 
To some this may seem utopian, but I am confident 
that rifle shooting will never attain, as it ought and 
may, to the dignity of a science until until some such 
plan’is adopted, and the club of gentlemen who will inaugu¬ 
rate some such system will secure for itself the pre-emi¬ 
nence of not only obtaining the highest superiority of suc¬ 
cess but also of "being the first to contribute the elements 
of scientific accuracy to the fascinating and useful recrea¬ 
tion of rifle shooting. My views may be crude, but I will 
have obtained my object if I have stimulated others to the 
development of some more feasible plan. J.H.R. 
For Forest and Stream. 
y BLUE FISHING. 
I PROPOSE referring to an accessible point on the New 
Jersey coast, where this exciting amusement can be 
enjoyed ad libitum. Many are fond of fishing, and in my 
opinion they loose the cream of the joke unless they engage 
in blue fishing where these voracious customers exist in 
great numbers. I am an old piscator, and when I wish to 
enjoy perfect piscatorial happiness, I telegraph that prince 
of boatman, Capt. Joel Ridgway, of Barnegat, “that I am 
coming, be ready.” The Captain meets me at the depot at 
10 o’clock A. M., and at 12 o’clock M. I have my squids 
towing astern, and as a general rule am soon engaged in 
capturing the struggling, fighting and snappish denizens of 
the deep. 
Several years since, the sickness of a friend induced me 
to visit Barnegat, and I discovered that it was a piscatorial 
paradise, if accessibility, number of fish, and superiority of 
boats, are taken into consideration. Barnegat Bay is over 
forty miles in length, and from one fourth to seven miles 
in width, extending from Little Egg Harbor to a point 
north of Toms River. The main entrance to the bay is 
Barnegat inlet, distant from the village of that name about 
seven miles. 
Many of the residents of the locality make a livelihood 
by fishing with hook and line, and in consequence guard 
the interest with jealous care. At Cape May, Atlantic City, 
Egg Harbor, and New York, rod and line fishing is injured 
by seines and fike nets. On several occasions New York 
fishermen visited the locality, with the intention of prosecu¬ 
ting their calling, but soon realized the fact that a sword 
fish or other varmint, had produced extensive solutions of 
continuity in their nets. Finding more nets to mend than 
marketable fish entrapped, they retired in disgust. Owing 
to the protection extended to the fish, the bay is worth a 
visit to those who can appreciate rod or squid fishing. 
After the first of July weakfish of a very large size are 
very plentiful, and sheepshead, sea bass, black-fish, porgies, 
and flounders can be captured. After the first of Septem¬ 
ber the bass fisher may enjoy excellent sport. But the 
great attraction of Barnegat for “At Fresco ” and his friends 
is the blue fishing; and he fancies that it can not be excelled 
by any point within one hundred miles of New York. 
About the 20th of May, the run of large blue fish on 
their way north, enter the bay in great numbers, and re¬ 
main from ten to fourteen days, or as long as they can 
find food. They are followed by a smaller run known as 
“summer fish” or “snap mackerel,” varying from one to 
four pounds, and they remain in the bay or about the en¬ 
trance until the beginning of September. The large fish 
commence their migration south about that time, and 
excellent squiding can be obtained outside the bar. 
But to illustrate the character of the sport at Barnegat, 
I will give your readers a little cf my experience within a 
recent period. In the beginning of July 1872, an artist 
mend and your correspondent, landed between 10 A. M. 
and3P. M., fifty-three fish ranging from two to four 
pounds. Two weeks later found me on the bay, in com¬ 
pany with six friends. Until noon we amused ourselves 
catching weak and king fish; and by 4 P. M. we captured 
one hundred and seventy varying from one to three pounds. 
We started for the lauding and found that the days catch 
numbered seven hundred and thirty-six fish. 
. second week in August again found me at Barnegat 
m company with S. We caught between 9 A. M. and 4 P. 
one hundred and forty-three blue-fish, from two to four 
pounds. During the last hour with three squids towing 
astern, we landed sixty-two, or over one per minute. 
On the 20tii of May 1873 1 received a telegram to the fol- 
owing effect. “Blue-fisli plenty, come.” I at once com¬ 
municated with a dominie—an ex-city missionary, and 
we took the first train for Barnegat where we arrived at 6 
f*. i ' • ^ de P° l we were welcomed by the sight of the 
caly sides of one hundred and twenty large blue-fish which 
act been caught in the bay, in two hours, by two fishermen, 
unng the night a cold north-easter with rain set in, and 
e next morning at 6 A. M. we were afloat and squiding 
a cold and disagreeable rain storm. Owing to the storm, 
speed to the dominie’s fingers, or the fear of a learned 
squismon on the eleventh commandment, during the 
gut the fish took their departure. We squided for two 
ays and captured three fish averaging about three pounds; 
u becoming disgusted with the rain, and want of suc- 
ss> started for home. The ensuing day, the weather 
eared up; th^fish returned in immense quantities and re¬ 
gained m the bay for two weeks. 
2 F u a ® a ^ n r f°und me on the bay in company with O. At 
tirp'rt ° n TJlursda y we found fingers sore and muscles 
ca, and through sheer weariness abandoned the sport, 
uiuiug the bow of the boat towards the landing, we 
h j 0ur ca ^ cl1 aQ d found that we had captured one 
*ur«a and eighty-two blue fish weighing about seven 
hundred pounds. Next morning at 6 A. M. our squids 
were towing astern, and we were busily engaged hauling 
in and unhooking fish. 9 A. M. found my fingers tender, 
and the hands of O. so swollen that he found it impossible 
to haul in another fish. Tired, crippled, and demoralized, 
we resolved on a change of base, and started for the cool 
verandah at Cranmer’s hotel. We took an account of 
stock and found that we had captured in three hours one 
hundred and eighteen fish ranging from two to four pounds. 
August again found me squidding with S. The first day 
we caught one hundred; and the succeeding one hundred 
and five, abandoning the sport early each day for the pur¬ 
pose of engaging in weak fishing. The third day we passed 
out at Barnegat inlet, and cruised outside to Little Egg Har¬ 
bor inlet a distance of twenty miles, and returned by the 
inside, or bay route. During our outside cruise we caught 
a fine Spanish mackerel and two sharks. 
On the morning of September 6tli at 9.30 A. M. I found 
myself outside the bar in company with D., M., and R. The 
action commenced immediately and continued until 8.15 
A. M. At 7, R. quarrelled with Old Neptune, and inaugur 
ated a disgorging process. Not having sufficient strength 
left to haul in ten-pounders, he took possession of a corner 
of the boat and remained quiescent. D. suddenly contracted 
a severe headache accompanied with general prostration 
(but asserted that he was “not sea sick,”) and had not suf¬ 
ficient strength left to land a fish, so he stowed himself 
away. M. had always ridiculed the idea of protecting his 
thumb and fingers with India rubber finger stalls, and soon 
found himself hors de combat , in consequence of his fingers 
being severely cut by the line. Being in company with 
invalids, I was forced to beat a retreat, and headed the boat 
for Barnegat. I counted stock on hand and found that we 
had captured in less than two hours sixty-eight fish weigh¬ 
ing about eight hundred pounds. Fair sport when the demor¬ 
alized condition of a portion of the crew is considered. We 
accompanied D. and R. to the depot, and M. and I proceed¬ 
ed to the inlet. Having awning, store and cooking fixings 
we camped out for the night. Sunday morning arriving 
and no church nearer than Barnegat, we resolved to while 
away the time by taking a cruise outside., We passed the 
bar, and when we attained a point about two miles from 
the beach we found ourselves surrounded by a very large 
run of blue-fish. As far as the eye^ could reach, in every 
direction, they were breaking wa*ter—-in fact, the ocean 
was literally alive with fish. I have circumnavigated the 
globe, and have sailed over many oceans, but never wit¬ 
nessed anything to equal the condition of things around us. 
In every direction the surface was disturbed by fish, and 
on looking over the side of the boat they could be seen 
passing under her in hundreds. Here was temptation, but 
regard for the day deterred us from engaging in the capture 
of the voracious and snappish customers. We required 
fresh fish for dinner, and as food was a necessity a squid 
was thrown overboard, and it barely touched the water be¬ 
fore a ten-pounder was hooked. The next morning (Mon¬ 
day) we were disposed to capture a few hundred of these 
plucky gents, but a heavy north-east wind had set in during 
the night, and the sea was so high on the bar the Captain 
would not attempt to cross it. 
Trout, pickerel, mascalonge, bass, and salmon fishing have 
charms, but to those who have never enjoyed the excite¬ 
ment of blue fishing, we can say that it is the quintescence 
of sport. With plenty of hungry fish around you, a six 
knot breeze, a safe boat, a good captain, and three squids 
towing astern, every minute is one of excitement and pisca¬ 
torial pleasure. When fish are plentiful and in a biting 
mood, it is almost impossible for two active men to attend 
to three lines and keep them clear of fish. Unless pre¬ 
vented by sickness, we expect to visit Barnegat during the 
summer, and if you think it would interest your readers 
we shall take pleasure in keeping them posted. 
Barnegat is very accessible from New York or Philadel¬ 
phia—excursion ticket about three dollars. By taking the 
first train of the New Jersey Southern R. R. from New York 
or Philadelphia, Barnegat can be reached at 10 A. M., or 
by taking the afternoon train at 6 P. M. By providing a 
Innch, aud engaging a boat beforehand a fair day’s sport 
can be obtained the first day. Fair accommodations can 
be obtained at Cranmer’s hotel at Barnegat, or at the Ken- 
sey’s Inlet House near the light house. 
Boats at Barnegat are of a superior class as regards size, 
speed, and safety, and the captains are gentlemanly, atten¬ 
tive, sober and industrious. The price of a first-class boat 
with captain is $4. per day. All of the boatmen are reliable, 
but we can unhesitatingly recommend either Joel, Joseph, 
or Jarvis Ridgway—more especially that prince of sailors 
Captain Joel Ridgway. Persons intending to visit Barne¬ 
gat, can secure a boat by addressing Captain Joel Ridgway, 
Barnegat, Ocean county, N. Y., stating day and train by 
which they will arrive at the village, and if he is engaged, 
he will secure the services of a reliable substitute, who will 
be on hand when the whistle sounds “down brakes.” 
During the ensuing summer, I propose trying the artificial 
fly, in blue fishing, and have reason to believe that some 
excellent sport can be obtained. As a lover of blue fish¬ 
ing, I regret the imperfect manner in which squids are 
constructed by those who manufacture them. As many 
persons indulge in this description of sport, it is to be 
hoped that some one who is posted will describe lines and 
squids best adapted to this kind of fishing. 
One thing calculated to recommend Barnegat to fisher¬ 
men, and those who seek the sea side for relaxation, is the 
fact that the conventionalities of sea side resorts have not 
afflicted and poisoned the atmosphere of the locality. The 
fisherman, or visitor, can dress as he pleases without offend¬ 
ing others-—ventilating shoes, flannel shirts, fifteen cent 
hats, and the absence of coats being the fashion. Board¬ 
ing is $2 per day, boat $4, the place is accessible, bathing 
unequalled, and the fisherman can engage in the exciting- 
sport of landing blue-fish, the monotonous occupation of 
sheepheading, or the tame sport of catching weakfish, black- 
fish and flounders. Al Fresco. 
For Forest and Stream. 
X THE MONGOO SE AND THE COBRA. 
S OME years ago, while temporarily the guest of a Bos¬ 
ton gentleman connected with a mercantile house in 
Singapore, I derived a great deal of amusement from watch¬ 
ing the movements of a pet mongoose, which ran at large 
in his rooms. This little animal, peculiar to the East In¬ 
dies, was about half the size of a raccoon, and not greatly 
unlike one in its build and habits. Constantly on the move, 
and restless, it would go around and around the room, its 
little, sharp black eyes peering into every nook and cranny, 
and its pointed nose twitching in every direction, Occa¬ 
sionally it would come silently up to its master, and arch¬ 
ing its back rub to and fro against his legs, as if, like a cat, 
seeking notice. A caress or two seemed to satisfy it, and 
it would resume its search, for searching I believe it was. 
The mongoose is the natural enemy of reptiles of all 
descriptions, and devotes itself to their extirpation, a self- 
imposed duty, compared to which the labors of St. Pat¬ 
rick were but a bagatelle, for surely Ireland, in its palmiest 
snake days, could not have compared with India in even 
its poorest day for snakes. D-had made a great pet of 
his mongoose, was greatly attached to it, and it seemed to 
fully return his affection. It would scramble up into his 
lap, and seem to enjoy a little caressing, but was soon tired 
of it. It was not treacherous, although at times it would 
develop a little quick temper when teased, but would soon 
forget its anger. Before their acquaintance had ripened 
into friendship, the mongoose had two or three times bit¬ 
ten my friend, ’but beyond the temporary pain and annoy¬ 
ance of a slight flesh wound no evil consequences had ensued. 
One morning D-came into possession of a fair sized 
cobra de capello, buying it, I believe, from an itinerant 
snake charmer. The cobra, or “hood viper,” is probably 
one of the most venomous of the serpent family. Whis¬ 
key may cure the bite of & rattlesnake, but the poison of a 
cobra’s bite would be beyond the power of even “Injun 
whiskey” to counteract. D- cleared his room for ac¬ 
tion, retaining some of the highest articles of furniture as 
“reserved seats” in the approaching meeting of the gladi¬ 
ators that he was anticipating- The basket containing the 
cobra was placed on the floor, and, by means of a cord, 
capsized, thus releasing the snake, which, seeing no antag¬ 
onist near, began sliding about the floor, looking for es¬ 
cape. The mongoose, by intention, was on the other side 
of the room when the snake was released, pursuing its cus¬ 
tomary investigations. Almost immediately it perceived 
the snake, and, arching its back, with eyes gleaming at the 
reptile, it became momentarily rigid, then slowly, with cat¬ 
like softness of step, moved towards it. Quicker than a 
flash, from trailing its yard of hideous, gorgeous flesh 
upon the floor, the cobra sprang into au attitude for com¬ 
bat, and from a coil for base reared its pointed head, with 
expanded hood, and eyes sparkling with rage, nearly half 
its length above the floor, then with head pointed at its foe, 
tongue darting at intervals from its horrid mouth, and hiss¬ 
ing with excitement, it stood prepared for the fray. The 
mongoose slowly approached, until he had reached a point 
just beyond the striking distance of the snake, then paused 
a moment, then darted through the air like a shot from a 
gun. There was a momentary struggle, over almost before 
it began; the snake struck as the animal sprung, but the 
mongoose stood in safety on the other side, and on each 
side of the swollen crest of the viper were two jagged 
woqnds, from whence the blood was trickling. Again and 
again was this repeated. By his judgment and agility the 
mongoose escaped a touch, while after each assault the ser¬ 
pent seemed to lose courage and strength, and new wounds 
were visible, until at last, subdued and crestfallen, it no 
longer retained its erect and defiant posture, but lying prone 
upon the floor sought only to avoid attack; but without 
avail. Steadfast and merciless, the animal followed up its 
victory, and in a short time had nearly torn from its body 
the head of the unfortunate reptile, and death soon put an 
end to its struggles. The mongoose manifested no desire 
to devour its late antagonist, bi t sought to leave the apart¬ 
ment. D-called to it, but it would not obey him, and 
seemed to be in an unnatural state of excitement, its eyes 
having a very peculiar, greenish, glassy stare. D-"at¬ 
tempted to pick it up, but crazed it turned upon him 
and fastened its teeth in his hand. He dropped it, and the 
door having been opened the animal ran out, and disap¬ 
peared for a day or two, after which it returned in its 
usual health and humor. My friend, though, did not fare 
so well. The little wound upon his hand rapidly assumed 
most alarming symptoms; the hand and arm to the shoul¬ 
der became swollen to twice their natural size, discolored 
spots made their appearance, high fever and other bodily 
derangemets.set in, and for many days his life hung in a 
trembling balance. All of the symptoms caused by a cobia 
bite, although not to the extreme degree, folio-wed the bite 
of the mongoose, and I afterwards learned that his health 
had been so shattered by this illness that he had been forced 
to leave the Indies 
The natives said that the mongoose, after killing a cobra, 
is crazy until it has eaten of some root or herb which it 
seeks, and which has the power of an antidote even in the 
case of a bite. What herb or root this is thby did not pro¬ 
fess to know. I have seen used by a Hindostan snake 
charmer woman, in Bombay, a root which is possibly the 
one sought by the mongoose. In this case the woman, 
having placed upon the giound, near a verandah where a 
number of us were sitting in the shade, a deep narrow bas¬ 
ket, made a collection from us of a few shillings, then, 
lifting her basket with a jerk, an immense cobra fell from 
it, which instantly threw itself into a coil and erected its 
head; the woman, squatting before it, passed her hand 
with a graceful, sweeping, horizontal figure of oo motion 
to and fro in front of it, at the same time making a pecu¬ 
liar, monotonous, buzzing, humming sound, the snake’s 
head following every sweep and motion of her hand; the 
instant she would interrupt the sound, and cease the wav¬ 
ing motion, the snake, which had become very angry, 
would strike at her. Each blow she received on the elbow, 
which, with nearly the whole of her arm, was enveloped in 
many folds of cloth, and immediately resume the motion 
and sound, and the cobra’s head would follow as before. 
Presently, when the snake became very angry, she caused 
it to strike a dozen times in rapid succession, which blows 
she dodgod, then quickly putting into her right hand from 
her left, where it had been concealed, what looked like a 
bit of stick, she fearlessly shook the covering from her 
arm, and thrust her hand holding the stick towards the 
serpent. In an instant its whole demeanor changed; its 
expanded hood contracted, and it lowered its head, on 
which she placed her hand and pressed it to the ground, 
where it lay in abject submission while she replaced the 
basket over it. 
This may have been a trick, the snake may have been 
taught, or its fangs broken off, but to us on the spot (some 
old East Indians were among us), capable of a fair judg¬ 
ment, it looked real. I examined the stick—“snake root,” 
the English residents call it. It was about two inches long, 
and res mbled very much an ordinary sweet flag, except 
that there were diamond-shaped marks on it. The woman 
refused a pound sterling for the piece she had, and I have 
no doubt but that this root, like witch hazel in England, is 
obnoxious to snakes. Piseco, 
