FOREST AND STREAM. 



[Oct. 16, 1861. 



but the local men for the most part turned up with small rigs, 

 having left their largest sails at the club houses. The consequeiice 

 was that nearly all were under-canvassed throughout the race. 



The course was a triangle of about two miles, the first leg a 

 reach with booms to starboard, then a jibe and a reach to the 

 outer buoy, with a beat home. The tide was running out of the 

 Bay. The wind was light from the north, baching a little on the 

 last round and freeing after the leaders had finiahed. The course 

 was a very good one, with the exception that the fiaishline, which 

 was at right angles with the starting line, was laid oil to leeward 

 Instead of to windward of the home buoy. The consequence was 

 that several boats on the last leg laid up to weather this buoy, as 

 in the first two rounds, when they might have fiaished a hundred 

 yards to leeward. 



At 3 P. M. there was not wind enough to start the race, and the 

 first signal was not given until 3:07:30, the start being given at 

 3:13:30. Bee was perfectly timed, go ng over quickly with good 

 headway, while GueTin, Wasp and Saabright followed her closely. 

 The fleet was well strung out from the start, several being far in 

 the rear. The.iibe at the first mark wac made in the following 

 order: Bee, Guenn, Wasp, Bonnie, Aztec, Eclipse, Chiugachgook, 

 Eurylda, Rival, Bubble. Seabright, Torment, Kismet. On the 

 second leg Bee ran so far ahead that she was SHillng alone. Wasp 

 was pushing Guenn for second place, while Aztec had left the 

 Back well astern. The order at the leeward mirk was: Bee 3:25:40, 

 Guenu 3:26:50. Wasp close to Guenn, Aztec, Eurvlda, Bonnie, 

 Eclipse, Rival, Chiugachgook, Torment, Seabrigbt, Bubble, 

 Kismet. 



On the windward work Bee, Wasp and Az':ec gained on the rest, 

 the fleet being broken up from this time out into three divisions. 

 Bee, Wasp and Aztec made up the first, some distance astern were 

 Gnenn, Eurylda, Eclipse. Bonnie and Torment, while in the rear 

 were Seabrigbt, Bubble, Kismet. 



The first round was timed; 



Bee 3 36 30 Torment 3 4158 



Wasp 3 39 1:3 Seabrigbt 



Aztec 3 39 55 Rival 3 43 45 



Guemi 3 U) 48 Bubble 3 43 47 



Euryla 3 41 10 Ki«met 8 48 07 



Bonnie 3 4! 30 Chingachgook 3 46 12 



Eclipse ...3 41 33 



The wind wa? so light that the men were hardly outside the 

 boats, none being fairly out on the seat. On the first leg of tbe 

 second round several managed to wing out, but th'^ leaders sailed 

 with booms both to srarboard, as at the Ptnrt. After completing 

 the first round Rival and Chingachgook withdrew: The order at. 

 the flrst mark on second round was: Bee, Wasp, Aztec, Guenn, 

 Eurylda, Eclipse, Bunnie, Torment. Seabrigbt, Kismet and 

 Bubble. On this round Torment picked up, but the places 

 were otherwise but little changed, the end of the round Oeing 

 timed: 



Bee 4 IX) 40 Eurylda 4 OS 15 



Wasp 4 01 46 Bonnie 4 OB 42 



Aztec 4 03 53 Seabrigbt 4 11-50 



Torment 4 06 55 Bubble 4 11 51 



Guenn 4 07 22 Kismet.. 4 13 14 



Eclipse 4 07 33 



Bubble withdrew, having broken her steering gear. On the 

 next leg the wind was so far aft that most of the boats ran 

 wing and wing. The order was not taken at the intermediate 

 buoys, but was little changed, as the final times show. After Bee 

 hud finished the wind came in freer and rather helped the lag- 

 gards. The finish was timed: 



Bee 4 23 35 Eclipse 4 33 33 



Wasp 4 27 05 Torment 4 .33 0.5 



Aztec ..4 .30 03 Guenn 4 .35 43 



Eurylda 4 32 45 Seabright 4 33 20 



B-,nnie 4 33 55 Kismet not timed. 



This race is the last open event of the year, and marks the end- 

 ing of the season of 1891. Like the June race of the same club it 

 has proved a success, the two being among the moat Important 

 events of the year^ 



' RUNNING THE RAPmS."-Mr. O. Klackner, of 5 East Seven- 

 teenth street, has just published an original etching by the artist 

 Wm. M. Gary (size of plate -SOxlTin.), entitled ''Bunuing the 

 Rapids.'' It has been dedicated to the •"Canoeists of America" 

 and is full of spirit and action. The scene is laid in the Adiron- 

 flacks, in a passage from one of the chain of lakes. Tbe canoeist 

 from the city being on a hunting and fishing trip evidently knows 

 how to really enjoy his vacation. The old and trusted guide is 

 kneeling in the forepart of the boat aad paddling with aU his 

 energy to keep oflE the rooks as they dash down the rapids. Tne 

 packs and camp kits being stowed amidships help to serve as 

 ballast to the frail birchen canoe, the guas lying flat on the bot- 

 tom to prevent accident. They have evidently left an early 

 c^mp, for the morning mists are not cleared awayfrom the moun- 

 tains, but roll up and take fantastic shapes as they rise and dis- 

 appear before the heat of old Sol as he climbs the heavens. A 

 flock of mallard ducks have just risen from the edge of the 

 stream, seeming to enjoy and appreciate the fact of their being 

 safe, although in easy range of the occupants of the canoe, who 

 would like to take a shot at them, but dare not while ruuning the 

 rapids. Mr. Gary has had considerable experience in canoeing in 

 the Wild West, at one time making a trip down the Missouri 

 through the Mauvais Terre or bad lands, from Fort Benton down 

 to Bismarck, a distance of 1,800 miles, in a Mackinaw. We would 

 recommend this picture to lovers of sport as well as of etchings, 

 the subject being entirely new and original, nothing similar hav- 

 ing ever been placed before the public. 



Small Yachts. By C. P. Kunhardt. Price $7. Steam TacMs and 

 Launchas. By C. P. Kunhardt. Pi-ice $$. Yachts, Boats and 

 Cmwes. By 0. Stansfield-Hichs, Price $3.69. Steam MacMnei'y. By 

 Donaldeon. Price $1.50. 



WINNING YACHTS. 



i^WNERS of winning yachts will confer a favor by sending to 

 ^ ns as soon as possible the records of their yachts for the past 

 season, giving number of starts and prizes, as well as places in 

 each race, and also amounts won. 



THE DRIFT OF DESIGNING.— The present tendencies of 

 yacht designing, especially in the smaller classes, are too plain to 

 be overlooked. While beam, and where the rules allow, length 

 also are used liberally, displacement is being cut down, while 

 stability is secured both by beam and low ballast. Depth of body 

 Is being decreased, giving a higher center of buoyancy, while the 

 center of gravity is lowered by means of very light construction, 

 giving a higher percentage of ballast to displacement, and hy;the 

 very low position of the ballast. The smaller keel boats are 

 rapidly approaching the extreme wine-glass section, or the saucer 

 with a deep metal fin, and a still greater extreme is possible in 

 the direction of the new Herreshoft Dilemma, a wide, shoal racing 

 machine, with all ballast suspended deep below the real keel. 

 The same extreme is practicable in the case of centerboard boats, 

 the board being heavily weighted. As yet no harm has been done 

 in the larger classes, the machines being confined to the smaller 

 racing boats, but the general tendency is toward the production 

 of an undesirable type in many classes. 



"CITY OF THE STRAITS."— This craft, which was defeated 

 last week by Pappoose, is not a lake steamer or ferryboat, as 

 might be supposed from her name, but a 35ft. cutter of modern 

 type, a compromise model, with lead keel and centerboard.' "The 

 City," as she is commonly called, was designed by E, B. Wendell, 

 of Detroit, a very clever young amateur. She would have been 

 much faster had the sail plan and construction ot the designer 

 been adhered to, but she was built with the scantling of an old 70- 

 footer, and much oversparred at first. 



A NEW 46-FOOTBR.— All doubt has been removed as to the 

 fact of a successor to Gloriana being under way. Mr. Herresholf 

 will build a 46-footer during the winter on much tlie same lines 

 as Gloriana. The name of the owner is still a secret, but it Is 

 stated that he is a New York yachtsman, and not Mr, Morgan. 



A SHARPIE CRUISE IN FLORIDA. 



THE Kingfisher's cargo is stowed at last, the skipper Is making 

 sail, and Ed and Charley are disposing of themselves as com- 

 fortably as possible for the run down the river. Be it known that 

 the Kingasher is a tight little sharpie yawl, built by the skipper, 

 and christened in honor of that writer, whose "Camps of the 

 Kingfishers" have made glad so many readers of the Forest and 

 Stheam. The little craft is handy, fast and able; has good cabin 

 accommodation for two, and has been tested so well and so often 

 that the skipper has unbounded confidence in her ability to go 

 anywhere or to do anything. 



Ed and Charley are two friends from the Hub, who were here 

 some years ago and had such a good time that they have always 

 longed to try it over again, When they wrote to the skipper last 

 February and asked "Can you go?" it did not take long to settle 

 the matter. And the skipper; well, the leas said about him the 

 better. 



We are off at last, the wind is light but fair, and as speed is no 

 object, we are just as happy as we would be if going faster. Clos^ 

 behind us comes the Commodore in his wonder— said wonder 

 being a Boston-built craft, and of such a peculiar model that 

 some unregenerate scamp (not having the fear of Com. P. before 

 his eyes) has dubbed her the Boston Baan Pot. She is 16ft. long 

 by 9ft. beam, or 9ft. long by Itift. beam, I have forgotten which, 

 and carries sail enough to carpet a township. 



When just clear of the buoy the wind falters a little and finally 

 jumps out right ahead. It is flood tide, and with a sigh the skip- 

 per lets everything go by the run, and picking up the long 

 C5T)reas pole proceeds to drive the yawl against the wind and 

 tide. The operation is not speedy or easy, but it is dreadfully 

 sure, and in due time we arrive at the mouth of the river, where 

 we make sail and on an easy bowline stretch away to the south'r l. 



It is one of oitr best days, when everything and everybody seem 

 to have accepted the fact that life is worth living. The boys are 

 busy looking over the guns, overhauling cartridges, tackle and 

 all the thousand and one things which sportsmen take to tbe 

 woods and waters. At sunset we reach Clearwater, Ed. and 

 Charley going up to see their old friend "Mao Dak," and the 

 skipper gels his supper, takes his quiet little smoke and, like a 

 good sensible cruiser, turns in early. 



An owly morning, but after many pros and cons we start. 

 About 3 miles away Little Puss, where we are to trv the Gulf; 

 before we reach the Pass, bow-ever, the wind jumps "out of the 

 southwest, and with such a determined and vicinus objection that 

 we decided to beat up the bay a while. This course was arrived 

 at after due consideration of Charley's liability to be seasick at 

 the slightest provocation. The wind increased rapidly, first a 

 double-reefed mainsail, then down cime mainsail altogether and 

 the little yawl under jib and dandy climbed up to windward in a 

 way to do a sailor's heart good. But Charley's stomach gets un- 

 ruly, and after some seven or eight miles thrashing we tie up at 

 an old orange wharf and make up our minds to go fishing until 

 better weather. 



The wharf where we made our halt is at what is known as the 

 "Powledge Grove," one of the oldest groves on this cost, and still 

 in prime condition. Near here is where the LInited States military 

 store house stood during tho Seminole war. It was a large log 

 Btructuro, two stories high, built against the bluff, which at that 

 point was quite high. At the time of the great gale in 1848 the 

 old house was stowed full of fish barrels. The wind and sea com- 

 pletely demolished the building and some of the fish barrels were 

 afterward found several miles inland. 



After getting everything snug on the yacht, we organized for 

 dinner, and then came a ramble through the grove, and as the 

 wind was still high, with a heavy sea, the fishing gear was got out 

 and the boys had heaps o' fun catching gamy snappers. 



The next morning opened bright and clear, with a rising tide 

 and fair wind. After a little di'^cussion, it was voted to try the 

 pass through the Narrows— a passage between the key and the 

 main land, some five or six miles long, and from a few yards to a 

 half-mile in width. It is a noted place for birds, but owing to the 

 very snoal water the navigation is not very good. However, we 

 struck it right, and went through without any trouble, the boys 

 getting a few birds on the way. Below the Narrows comes Boca 

 Ceiga Bay, which we run through with flowing sheet. 



At noon we are just inside Pass-a-guille. Here we have a choici 

 of two evils; to cross Tampa Bay at the mnuth, where the distance 

 is short, or to go straight t i dodge the big swells, but making 

 our time between land longer. We decide on the latter course. 



Bearing to the east'rd a little, we skirt Pine Key, passing 

 through a shoal channel which leads us along the edge of flats 

 and by sandbars untii we strike Tampa Bay at about two miles 

 from its mouth and at its widest part. As we open out the ship 

 channel past Egmont we make a discovery: the white squadroa 

 are maneuvering around Egmont. We are too far to the east to 

 get much of an idea what the evolutions are, but we can hear the 

 roar of the guns, and that is some comfort. 



Tampa Bay is on its good behavior, hut when nearly across the 

 wind howls just enough to bring us close-hauled to the buoy off: 

 Manatee River, where we meet a sharp tide rip, which makes 

 poor Charley wish he had not eaten so much dinner. He takes it 

 philosophically, however, merely suggesting that we hunt stnooth 

 water as quickly as possible. 



We are soon in Sarasota Bay and in quieter waters. We are 

 now below the eftects of the freeze of 18S9, and the bright green 

 mangroves are more cheering to the eye than the tangle of dead 

 branches that line the shores north of Tampa Bay. 



We soon come to Long Boat Inlet, the home of the mullet fisher- 

 men. Here we see multitudes of small skiffs, all rigged alike; 

 mast well aft, with sprit mainsail, and jib set to stem head. (By 

 the way, that is the original cutter rig.) They are wonderful lit- 

 tle sea boats, and go anywhere and at anytime. It la growing 

 late, and as we clear the middle ground of Long Boat the minds 

 of the party turn on camp and 'supper. OhaiFley has recovered 

 from his seasickness and wants to stop where there are birds. 

 Cow Key is a good place, so we crawl into a lee, down goes the 

 anchor, and Charley and Ed are away in thn dinghy. 



The skipper snugs up a little and turns his attention to supper. 

 Meanwhile the wind, which has been veering about fromS.W. 

 to N.W. all day, has got well to the north'rd and novv begins t^ 

 pipe in earnest. "Whew! how cold it is. Can this be Florida?" 



Supper is ready. Charley and Ed are back with a dozen birds, 

 and an appetite, and the skipper— well the skipper always has an 

 appetite. 



Morning again, off and away. Twelve miles south is Sarasota, 

 where we stop for dinner and for the boys to call on their old 

 friend "Homosassa Jones;" everybody who comes to the west 

 coast knows Cap«. Jones, and "Mother Jones" is as well known 

 through Florida, We find thHt Oapt. Jones has gone to Key 

 West, but Mother Jones is at home, and besides we meet other 

 familiar faces whicb makes our short st.ay more than pleasant. 



While eating dinner the skipper notes the tide rising fast, and, 

 consulting a native, finds it is higher than usual and still coming. 

 Whereupon the party conclude to try a run through tbe "man- 

 groves;" said "mangroves" being a collection of narrow tortuDuj 

 channels through coon oyster bars, mud flats, etc. 



With a good breeze and a free sheet we skim along for some two 

 miles, and then the fun begins, "Luff!" "Keep offl" "Hard upl" 

 and "Hard down," until we are fairly into a -eeemingly endless 

 labyrinth of bushes, snags, deep holes, flats and bars. Hera tbe 

 skipper shows some of the fine touches of Florida navigatioa; 

 down mainsail and jib, overboard, and with one hand on the nose 

 of the Kingfisher, away he goes. Sometimes picking his way over 

 an oyster bar, sometimes knee deep in the mud and then up to 

 his hips in deep water, he winds in and out until soon we see open 

 water ahead. But what are the boys doing? Ed is dividing his 

 time between tne cob pipe and helping the skipper with a polet 

 and Charley, with the Kodak, is in the dinghy picking up the 

 views which he thinks he may want to look at again, and that 

 will please his friends when he once more returns to civilization. 



We are soon at Seminole Point, where the skipper and the cook 

 had a notable camp-fire. This is tbe place, too. where a cracker 

 came over and tried to drive out the "man with the rag canoe" 

 (it didn't work). We make sail here and soon run down to 

 "Webb's." Capt. Webb has been here some twenty-five years 

 and is chock full of stories of the good old times. A pleasant 

 camp on the point, a cheerful camp-fire, with interesting yarns 

 from Capt. Webb, a flash light photo with the Kodak, and we all 

 turn in. 



With the sun in the morning comes a sharpie from Carey's 

 Pass; tbe crew tells tis the pass is closed, so we flatten in sheets 

 for Little Sarasota. On the way Ed gets in a fat shot at a flock 

 of ducks; we pick up a round dozen and go on, getting to the pass 

 about noon. Here we decide to make camp, fish and rest. We 

 fill up the afternoon with all it will hold and at 9 P.M. the boys 

 crawl into their nests in the cabin of th9 Kingfisher, while the 

 skipper rolls in his blanket by the camp-fire. 



The fire burns low, the skipper gets up, punches the coals to- 

 gether, lays on another log or so and is soon in the land of dreams, 

 but always wakeful and easily roused, he soon opens liis eyes and, 

 wUhout liioviag, scans the circle lit up by the camp-fires blaze. A 

 soft footfall is heard, nnocher, and out of the darkness steps a 

 man; slowly he advances to the fire, and when within a few feet 

 the skipper says, "Well! what is it?" The stranger steps nearer 

 and says, "I have walked from Stitmp Pass (26 miles) and I was 

 never so tired in my life. I ran my schooner ashore above here 

 iu the Wow last Thursday and I have been to Stump Pass to get 



help to get her afloat again. I want to borrow a lantern to go 

 aboard and get soma coffee." "All right," says the skipper, 

 "here's your lantern, bring it down early in the morning." Away 

 he goes and the skipper is soon asleep again. 



In the morning, after an early breakfast of smothered duck, 

 we are just making sail when down comes the stranger with the 

 lantern. We are soon out of tbe Pass, and with a very light wind 

 heading south. To-day is a black day for Ed. He was the pos- 

 sessor of a Wiachester, a rifle that had been tried and proved, 

 an old friend that he had cheerfully carried on many a long 

 tramp, a compauion endeared to him by a hundred recollections. 

 Many a fat deer had he brought down by its aid and many a 

 plump turkey had fallen to its deadly lead. We were running 

 along close-hauled, breeze light, with occasionally a strong puff. 

 Ed. was busy trolling for kingfish, when below Carey's Pass we 

 fell in with a school of porpoises; thoy raced alongside, darted 

 across our bows and cut up their monkey shines all around us. 

 Ed. makes fast his trolling line, and with the remark, "I'd make 

 you hump," he pulls out the favorite rifle. Taking it from its 

 case he pats it lovingly, wipes oft' an imaginary speck of dust, 

 slips in some shells and stands at a ready; but now the porpoises 

 seem to be gone— not one in sight— so after a few moments' watch- 

 ing he lays the gun on the companion slide and turns to his king- 

 fish line. As he becomes busy with his line there comes a short, 

 sharp puff, the Kingfisher heels to leeward, some one yells, "Look 

 out for that gun," Ed. turns just in time to catch one fleeting 

 glimpse of the muzzle of his old favorite bound for the bottom ot 

 the Gulf. There are sorrows too deep for words; this was one of 

 them. A aad, wistful look came over his face, but no words. 

 Charley and the skipper knowing they could not help the matter 

 wisely remained silent. 



The breeze freshens and we are soon In sight of Stump Pass. 

 Working in just around the point we make camp and prepare for 

 a day's stay. We notice thousands of little fish like sardines, and 

 Charley is soon busy with net and bucket. He quickly has a 

 bucket full, and selecting his rod, is at work casting in an eddy. 

 The tide is half flood and the bait does not have to wait long for a 

 strike. Ed is still mourning for the gun, but as he sees Charley 

 struggling with a bier sea trout he forgets his sorrow, and, reach- 

 ing for his rod, is soon in the same fix. Two fine fish are selected 

 for supper, and then the boys catch and unhook until they tire of 

 the sport. There is a camp of mullet fishermen on the opposite 

 aide of the pass. The boys take the dinghey and pull over to inter- 

 view them. They soon return for guns; "ducks" says Charley, 

 and soon the skipper hears them banging away. At supper time 

 they put in an appearance, each with a bunch of ducks and a big 

 smile. And so it goes, we eat, sleep, smoke and fish, and on the 

 th'rd day spread our wmgs f'^r another flight. ^ 



Working inside through the Mangrove Islands, w^open out 

 Kettle Harbor. A splendid day, with a splendid breeze, ducks by 

 the thousand, blue herons, a fiock of ItJis, schools of mullet. Over 

 yonder is Grove City, but we "don't want no city, ain't lost any." 

 We're looking for fun and fresh air. In and out among the keys, 

 now creeping along through a narrow channel, now over a mud 

 flat, then along some sandy beach, but always happy, contented, 

 peaceful, and always on the lookout for fun. 



In the middle of the afternoon we reach Big Gasparilla. The 

 boys want to see the fish ranch there, and so we point into the 

 harbor. As we near the little wharf we see a small dog. He ap- 

 pears to be dancing a jig: as we get nearer the little fellow runs 

 down on the wharf. He frolics and capers, yells and howls and 

 does all he can to bid us welcomp. An old Sicilian sailor who is 

 in charge of the ranch, comes down and apologizes for the dog. 

 "He so glad see somebody. He don't know what to do." We tie 

 up at the wharf, and as usual, the boys start for ducks. There is 

 a fresh water lake near .by, and the ducks are in force. .In an 

 hour's time the boys return, each with his bunch of ducks, and 

 feeling as proud as if they had never seen a bird b-efore. 



After supper we haul out iu the bay and get ready for sleep. 

 The skipper takes the top of the cabin, but the boys go for their 

 berths below. They make complaint in the morning of being 

 annoyed with mosquitoes, but the skipper says he didn't feel 

 any. 



To-day the wind is ahead and very light, and we only make Cap- 

 tiva Island, before reaching which we cross Boca Grande. In the 

 Pass are some large vessels waiting for their load of phosphate. 

 We pass close loan immense four-masted schooner. As we croae 

 her stern she looks nearly as high as our masthead, and the little 

 Kingfisher is small in comparison. Soutli of Boca Grande is La 

 Costa, one of the flop«t islands on the coast. Here is located a 

 Spanish fish ranch. Vessels come here from Havana and load 

 with fish for that market. It looks queer to any one who knows 

 hows jealous the Spaniards are of foreigners coming to the coast, 

 to see their vessels come here year after year, without hindrance 

 or question, occupying the land to the exchision of native born 

 Americans, filling their holds with tne finest fish; when if an 

 American fisherman or sponger is caught within three miles of 

 the Cuban coast he is taken, forfeits his vessel and cargo, and is 

 lucky if he gets away alive. But that's a pulitieal matter, and 1 

 detest politics. 



At Captiva we run into one of the prettiest of pretty little har- 

 bors. Here is another Spanish ranch owned by Key West parties; 

 but they are very good fellows, and we enjoy the evening hugely. 

 In the morning up and away for St, James, that Mecca of the 

 tarpon crank. 



On our way to St. James we have an amusing incident. It 

 happened in this way, there was a strong breeze, well aft, but as 

 the distance was short we decided to tow the dinghy. About half 

 way the sea got so lively that somethina: had to be done. FJ<i, who 

 is always up to emergencies, says "I'U fix it." So he lowers the 

 dandy, then makes the dinghy's painter fast some 4ft. above 

 deck on the dandy mast. All right for avvhile, but the Kingfisher 

 pitches over one of the short, deep seas, tbe dinghy hanging 

 nearly up and down, and the following sea rolled right into her. 

 We had a bag of grape fruit and oranges iu the boat, with a 

 number of other tricks which had been put there to give us more 

 room aboard. They were out of our way now, for the sea distrib.- 

 uted them so effectually that we never found them afterward. 

 VVhoever has tried to pick up a small boat in a heavy sea can 

 understand the job we had. but we did it, and in a short time 

 were going along with the Kingfisher, Jr., on the house. 



We soon reach St. James, to find but few guests liere, and they 

 preparing to leave. It baa been a bad winter for fishing, and 

 everyone was dissatisfied with his luck. 



At St. Ja-mea our party received news that compelled them to 

 change their plans somewhat. We had planned to visit the 

 Thousand Islands, but the female contingent at home had planned 

 a little raid of their own and notified their lords to meet them on 

 a certain date in Washington. Ah, well! Man proposes, but 

 woman decides. The thing was settled, we had just a week longer, 

 and we thought we could do no better than take a run through 

 Estero Bay. 



Next evening in a furious norther we made sail and filled away 

 for an eight mile run across to Estero, and made the run all right, 

 although Charley got rather white on the last half of the way. 

 We ran into the bay some two miles and cam« to for the night. 

 Next morning away again soutti, reaching Hickory Pass in the 

 evening. The boys went out but got no birds. 



Toward night, as the weather looked owley, we ran in for a 

 mile or so for a better harbor, found a nice little shell beach, 

 where we landed; and as it was quite cool soon had a rousing 

 camp-fire. After .supper and a pleasant day all hands turned in 

 for the night, the hoys in the cabin, the skipper on shore. 



It proved to be a night of horrors. It was a strong breeze at 

 sunset, and by 12 o'clock it had increased to a gale; and cold — talk 

 about Arctic weather, I have been on the Northwest, on the coast 

 of Alaska and in Siberia and I httlieve I never suffered from the 

 cold as I did that night in Florida. Somewhere in the morning 

 hours the skipper waked and found the fire nearly out. Very re- 

 luctantly he crawled out from his blankets, very carefully put on 

 his shoes, also tied them up and went for the fire. The wood we 

 used was dead mangrove. It makes the hottest kind of a fire 

 and just the very hottest kind of coals. The skipper tugged along 

 some logs and then commenced to punch up the big bed of coals 

 to provoke a blaze. He was successful, for a good, nice lively 

 coal about the size of a walnut flopped into his shoe and wedged 

 there fast. Great Cwaarl what a timel That shoestring wouldn't 

 break and the shoe wouldn't come off without. The skipper 

 claims that he never learned to dance, but he took some steps 

 that time. Finally be sat down, untied his shoe and found a place 

 about the size of a dollar that was literally cooked. 



Daylight at last, breakfast is ready, and the boys creep out of 

 the cabin and stand shivering around the fire. Charley gets out 

 his toilet paraphernalia, but it is too cold to use, and after a lick 

 and a promise, we all settle down to coffee. As the day advanced 

 the gala moderated, the sua shone bright, and by noon it was 

 comfortable. The boys take the dinghy and go to the Pass, but 

 find no birds. We visit some settlers on the island, and then 

 finally comes night and we all turn in early to make up for last 

 night's unrest. 



Morning, and almost a calm. What wind there is proves fair for 

 the run back, and we take advantage of it and are off. Toward 

 noon the breeze freshens, and we work out of the paas and up for 

 Punta Rassa, reaching tne latter place about 4 P. M. We stop at 

 the wharf, alongside a little yawl-rigged naphtha launch, the 

 Etcetera, of Hartford, Conn. The boys spent so much time a&hora 

 that we lay at the wharf all night. 



