CHAPTER VII. 



FISHING AND SPORTING FISH. 



On most days, as soon as breakfast had been comfortably 

 disposed of, it was the custom of Lady Wilton and Sir 

 Frederic to be towed out to the banks to spend the morn- 

 ing fishing. 



So far, we have attempted to sketch the more aesthetic 

 side of these banks from the point of view of their gaily- 

 coloured inhabitants ; we shall now describe them from 

 their sporting aspect. 



Including sharks, there are at least half-a-dozen fish to 

 be met within a mile or two of the islands, which ought 

 to satisfy the most blase and travelled angler in search of 

 fresh ground and fresh conquests for his rod and line. 

 Indeed, although so isolated and difficult to arrive at, the 

 " laiid " told me that he had had more than one request 

 from American fishing clubs to allow them to build a 

 club house on the island for the sake, not only of the 

 excellent sport to be had, but of the splendid climate 

 and the complete charm of its surroundings. Happily, 

 as we thought, he had preferred his privacy to the doubtful 

 position of being a sort of club-caterer and worried land- 

 lord. 



During our cruises we had made the acquaintance of 

 pretty well every fish that could be caught in Florida 

 " passes " or Mexican rivers ; to say nothing of the vast 

 lagoon-hke inlets and the many rivers to be found at 

 intervals all along the northern coasts of Cuba. In these 



