carried for that purpose, and we lifted it aboard. 
It was what Frank called a grouper. Just why, he was 
unable to say, as the fish are invariably found singly and 
under rocks or coral, and sometimes attain a weight of 
40 pounds. The one we had weighed 26 pounds when 
we reached shore several hours later. 
We cruised in the vicinity tor a long time, and made 
several unsuccessful attempts to catch another grouper. 
We fished in several places where Frank was certain 
they were, and u.sed all varieties of bait we had, but they 
refused to bite. 
On the way back to Nassau we struck a school of 
market fish and caught a dozen, that weighed over 40 
pounds. They were very gamy, and later we found them 
splendid eating. 
This is but an account of one day of our week spent 
on New Providence. Never did I enjoy more sport fish- 
ing, and never did I meet a more cordial host. It was 
with great regret that Roy and I left the pleasant shores 
of the island, and prominent among my thoughts was 
this; "Some day I'll corne back," and I will. 
Harry Benedict. 
Fixtures, 
FIELD TRIALS. 
1900. 
Jan. 22.— West Point, Miss.— United States Field Trial Club's 
annual trials. W. B. Stafford, Sec'y. 
Feb. 5.— Greenville, Ala.— Alabama Field Trial Club's fourth an- 
nual trial.s. T. H. Spencer. Sec'y. 
Nov. 18.— Newton, N. C— Eastern Field Trial Club's t>\'enty- 
second annual field trials. S, C. Bradley, Sec'y, Greenfield Hill, 
Conn. 
Continental Trials. 
The open trials of the Continental Field Trial Club 
began on Monday, Dec. 11. The grounds of the Eastern 
Field Trial Club were used to determine the competition, 
the two clubs sharing the rent and using the grounds in 
common. The Eastern Club, as is proper, reserves the 
right to run its trials fir.st. After the first trials are 
finished, owners and handlers have a good kitowledge of 
the form of their own dogs, and that of the dogs which 
they have competed against. As most of the dogs are 
entered in both trials, the unpromising dogs are not likely 
to be started in the second trials. The best field trial 
judges are so nearl}' alike now in their estimates of good 
and bad performance, that dogs which do not get itito the 
second series in the first trials are' not started in the 
second trials. So long as the Continental trials follow so 
closely after the Eastern, just so long will it have its 
entries culled on the data afforded by competition in the 
Eastern. This weeding out process will tend to make a 
higher class of competition, since it reserves the better 
dogs and eliminates the commonplace, but it also cuts 
down the number of starters appreciably, and thus cuts 
down the revenue of the club more than is in consonance 
with the amount of the prize money. There is no rernedy 
for this under the present circumstances, but it, in a 
measure, may be lessened by both clubs increasing their 
membership, as they in fact are doing at present, and 
broadening out their support. Both clubs have been ma- 
terially strengthened with some excellent additions in 
the way of good sportsmen, and in the policy of sub- 
stantial growth hes the prosperity of the future. The 
clubs this j-ear had motiey on hand after all expenses 
were paid, a state of affairs most gratifying to all con- 
cerned. 
The quality of the competition was very good as a 
whole. Indeed, sonte of the work was of great excel- 
lence. The peculiarities of the competition exacted a 
higher degree of ability on the part of the dogs than is 
generally the case at field trials, for first the birds seemed 
wilder, kept closer to cover and took longer flights than 
at this season in former years. After the first flush they 
were very diificult to find. They frequently took to the 
tree tops," and but a few — one or two or three — could be 
found on the ground in such instances. When a bevy 
would light on the ground, the birds would scatter and 
run fast and far, and the flush of one was the signal many 
times for the flush of others. These conditions exacted a 
high degree of ability to make a good showing. The 
birds were in fair numbers, but diligent work was re- 
quired to find them under the conditions enumerated. 
There was quite a company of visitors which fol- 
lowed the trials day by day. Among these were Messrs. 
Hobart Ames, the president of the club; Theodore 
Sturges, the club secretary, the former from North 
Easton, Mass., the latter from New York, and both 
earnestly active in promoting the club interests. There 
also was the famous painter of field scenes, Mr. Edm. H. 
Osthaus, of Toledo. O. ; Mr. John H. Schumacher, of 
Los Angeles, Cal., who planned to hurry westward after 
the trials were over to the end . that he might spend 
Christmas at his hom.e. He was a painstaking follower of 
the trials, and regretted that the Sweepstake was not run 
so that he might enjoy them longer. He had much of 
mterest to narrate of trials on the Pacific Coast, and had 
a very sound perception of what were the requirements of 
good competition. If the fates should ordain that he 
visit the North Carolina trials again, he will be the re- 
cipient of a warm and friendly welcome. There also 
were Mr. Chas. H. Phebs, Jr., and his sister, Miss Julie 
G. Phelps; Mr. S. C. Bradley and his daughter, Miss 
Elizabeth Bradley; Messrs. Theo. R. Hoyt and Edw. C. 
Hoyt, New York; Chas. W. Keyes, of East Pepperell, 
Mass. ; E. D. Libbey, Toledo, O. ; A. C. Peterson, Hemp- 
stead, Pa.; J. F. Bell, Carmichael, Pa.; Geo. Nesbitt, 
Wilkes-Barre, Pa.; Maj. J. M. Taylor, Rutherford, N. J.; 
C. E. Buckle, Charlottesville, Va. ; Q. Armstrong, James- 
town, N. and others. 
The judging was done by Messrs. Edm. H. Osthaus, 
Chas. H. Phelps and B. Waters. Their decisions were 
received as being sovmd and satisfactory. 
The Sweepstake was declared oif, there not being the 
necessary number of entries to make it of sufficient int- 
iMii'tance to run. The entrance was $25, entj'ics to close 
ilie night before the running. This probably will b=s 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
changed to a subscription stake next year, and then there 
will be no dawdling nor indecision when the time comes 
to play or not to play. 
The Derby— Monday* Second Day, Dec. J J. 
A HEAVY, black sky portended rain, a continuation of 
the rainfall of the night. The storm did not begiit till 
near lunch time, and then the rain fell so heavily that the 
competition was declared off for the day. The first series 
was completed except the running of the bye dog. The com- 
petition was quite good in its best parts, and quite 
ordinary in its poorest. 
There were eleven starters, run in the following order: 
Dr. M. F. Rogers' 1. and w. pointer dog Brant (Von 
Gull— Baby Ruth), D. E. Rose, handler, with Dr. C. I. 
Shoop's b., w. and t. setter dog Count Hunttr (Count 
Gladstone IV. — Hunter's Queen), J. H. Johnson, handler. 
Hobart Ames' b., w. and t. setter bitch Bona (Tony 
Boy — Christina), E). E. Rose, handler, with P. Loril- 
lard, Jr.'s, b., w. and t. setter bitch Geneva (Tony Boy 
— Lena Bell), C. Tucker, handler. 
Dr. C. I. Shoop's b., w. and t. setter dog Harwick 
Boy (Harwick — Spot's Girl), J. H. Johnson, handler, 
with Geo. Crocker's o. and w. setter dog Bob Acres 
(Tony's Gale — Minnie T.), S. C. Bradley, handler. 
Arthus Stern's b., w. and t. setter bitch My Sue S. 
(Antonio — Robin's Cora), W. H. Hammond, handler, 
with Avent & Duryea Kennels' b., w. and t. setter bitch 
Sioux (Count Gladstone IV. — Hester Phryne), Geo. E. 
Gray, handler. 
O. D. Stuart's o. and w. setter bitch Trixie (Kingston 
■ — Duke's Ruby), D. E. Rose, handler, with Arthur 
Stern's lem. and w. pointer bitch Bootsie S. (Young 
Rip Rap — Dolly Jingo), W. H, Hammond, handler. 
W. N. Lipscomb's b. and w. pointer bitch Croxie 
Kent II. (Rip Rap — Croxie Kent), Samuel L. Jordan, 
handler. 
This stake was open to all pointe and setter puppies 
whelped on or after Jan. i, 1898. First forfeit, $10, due 
July i; second forfeit, $10, due Sept. i; $10 additional 
to start. Entries closed July i. To first, $250; to sec- 
ond, $150; to third, $100. 
Geneva, winner of first, repeated her good perform- 
ance of the Eastern trials, so far as excellence of class is 
concerned. She ranged wide, and displayed very good 
judgment in beating out her ground. Her capabilities 
as a whole are excellent. 
Sioux ran in greatly improved form over that dis- 
played in the Eastern trials, three weeks previous, her 
Avork to the gun being distinctly better. She ranged 
within bounds, and was easily the second best dog in the 
stake. 
Count Hunter, third, displayed good natural qualities, 
but he is rankly disobedient and inclined to self-hunt at 
times, so that he worked to the course in a most imperfect 
manner. He was third on a very narrow margin. 
First Rouitd. 
Brant and Count Hunter were cast oft' near Gibson's, at 
8, '46. Count pointed a bevy in open sedge and was 
nicely backed by Brant. On the scattered birds in pine 
woods Brant made three good points on singles, and 
Count made one. though lie pointed on the trail of a 
bird which, while reading to locate, was pointed by 
Brant. Brant next, near pine woods, made game and 
roaded truly to some birds, pointing betimes as he drew 
itear them. He was steady to shot and wing. The 
judges did not see the conclusion of this reading, as 
some pines hid the dog from view, but he presumably 
pointed. Both ranged well and at good speed. Up at 
9:30. 
Geneva and Bona ran a rather patchy heat, owing to 
the handlers separating repeatedly in a rather nervous 
Imrry lo find their dogs if they disappeared from view 
for a few moments. Geneva pointed in sedge, and, read- 
ing to locate. Bona, which had been backing, roaded 
quickly to the bevy and pointed it. The credit of the 
find was Geneva's. Bona flushed a single and each inade 
a point to which nothing was found. Sent on, Geneva 
pointed a bevy in open weeds and Bona backed nicely. 
Each made two points on the scattered birds, and 
Geneva backed a point of Bona prettily; but there was 
no bird to it. Each ranged well. Geneva was the better 
in beating out her ground, and in her finding and point 
work. Up at 10:35. 
Harwick Boy and Bob Acres were cast off at 10:46. 
Boy soon pointed a bevy in a plum thicket, and was 
backed by Bob. The former broke shot for a moment, 
but was steady to order. Each then pointed uncertainly, 
Boy being the greater offender. He also flushed a 
single. Up at 11:31. Their range was middling, and 
their performance on birds was ordinary. 
My Sue S. and Sioux were cast off at ii:34- Sioux 
pointed a bevy in heavy weeds in a bottom; Sue backed 
steadily for a few moments, then broke her back. Both 
were steady to shot. The birds went to heavy cover 
and were not followed. Sent on, Sioux found and 
pointed a bevy in the open and was backed well; it was 
a very finished piece of work. Again the birds went 
to dense cover. Next Sioux pointed in dense cover, and 
nothing was found. She made a very superior competi- 
tion; ranging well and within bounds, and beating out 
her ground with judgment. Up at 12:01. Sue's perform- 
ance was commonplace. Sioux's field form was decidedly 
better in every way over that displayed in the competition 
of the Eastern trials. 
Trixie and Bootsie S, began at 12:03 and ran till 12:38 
without finding. Their range and judgment were com- 
monplace. 
Heavy rain set in in the latter part of the heat._ After 
lunch the party returned to town in the rain, the 
weather being unfit for further competition. 
Tuesday, Third Day» Dec. \2. 
The eather was clear, cool and bracing. A mod- 
e'rately stiff wind was blowing at the start, but toward 
noon the temperature was warmer and the wind died 
away to a gentle breeze. Torrents of rain fell during 
Monday night, so that the grounds were very muddy in 
consequence. A start was made at the Conover end of 
the grounds. 
CroJiie Kent IL, Ul£ b.ve dog, was cast off at 9SIt', 
Her range was rather narrow. She pointed a bevy nicely 
and was steady to shot. She, in searching for the scat- 
tered birds, flushed one. Up at 9:44. 
Second Round. 
Six dogs were retained in the running. 
Brant and Harwick Boy were cast off at 9:56. Boy 
flushed a bevy and made a point on a single. Brant made 
a slack point on a bevy and was steady to wing. At the 
same time Boy pointed a bevy about 200 yards away. 
They were worked on the scattered birds, but failed to 
find them. Neither dog made so good competition as 
in the previous series. Up at 10:35. 
Count Hunter and Geneva were cast off at 10.48. 
Geneva made a good find and point on a bevy. The brds 
were followed. Count pointed; nothing found; foot- 
scent probably. Geneva roaded and pointed alternately, 
but could not locate. The dogs were swung into the 
open to seek another bevy. As the judges rode toward 
the edge of woods they flushed a bevy, and then both 
dogs were seen standing on point in the woods near 
where the bevy flushed. Up at 11:40. Count Was almost 
lawless in his ranging, paying little attention to his 
handler or his handler's commands. He hunted dili- 
gently, however, though very imperfectly to the gun. 
Sioux and Bona ran from 11:48 to 12:24 without find- 
ing, and the competition was then suspended while the 
party lunched. 
Final. 
Sioux and Geneva were started at 1:37. Soon, just 
inside thick pines, a bevy was seen to flush, and one 
of the dogs could be seen flitting to and fro near the 
scene. Next in open sedge a bevy was seen to flush 
and Sioux was close by it at the time. Sent on, Sioux 
flushed a single. Geneva next, in open sedge, pointed, 
drew cautiously about a bit and pointed the bevy nicely. 
She showed the better judgment and better performance 
on birds. 
The winners were then announced as follows: First, 
Geneva; second. Sioux; third, Count Hunter. 
The AU-Age Stake. 
Thiis stake was begun as soon as the Derby was de- 
cided. The number of starters was not so large as was 
expected, but they were of higher merit than the average. 
The Continental trials labor under the disadvantage 
of following soon after the Eastern, when the relative 
merits of the dogs are pretty well determined, and 
further competition depends largely on improved form. 
This stake was open to all setters and pointers which 
had not won first in any all-age stake of previous seasons 
at any field trials recognized by the Continental Club. 
Entries closed Oct. 15, with $10 forfeit and $20 addi- 
tional to start. To first, $250; to second, $150; to third, 
$100- 
There was a good attendance of sportsmen, who fol- 
lowed the trials diligently day by day. 
The dogs were run as follows: 
J. W. Hamer's b. and w. setter dog Toby's Bob 
(Brighton Tobe— Rill Ray), A. P. Kirk, handler, with 
G. G. Williamson's b.. w. and t. setter dog Lady's Count 
Gladstone (Count Gladstone IV.— Dan's Lady). D. E. 
Rose, handler. 
Pierre Lorillard. Jr.'s, b., w. and t. setter dog Pink's 
Boy (Gleam's Pink— Belle of Pawling), C Tuc4cer, 
handler, with W. P Austin's liv. and w. pointer dog Lad 
of Jingo (Jingo— Dot's Pearl). D. E. Rose, handler. 
Geo. E, Gray's liv. and w. pointer dog Young Jingo 
(Jingo— Pearl's Dot), owner, handler, with D. E. Rose 
(agt.) liv. and w. pointer dog Alex C. (Glenbeigh — 
Saddlebags). D. E. Rose, handler. 
H. R. Edwards' b., w. and t. setter dog Colonel R. 
(Harwick— Trap, Jr.), Geo. E. Gray, handler, with P. 
Lorillard, Jr.'s, b., w. and t. setter dog Jack (Eugene T. 
—Maud), C. Tucker, handler. 
H. K. Devereux's b., w. and t. setter dog Uncle B. 
(Harwick— Dan's Lady), Geo. E, Gray, handler, with 
George Crocker's o. and w. setter bitch Minnie's Girl 
(Antonio— Minnie T.), S. C. Bradley, handler. 
P. Lorillard, Jr.'s, b., w, 'and t. setter dog Roland 
(Ettgene T.— Lou), C. Tucker, handler, with J. W. 
Hamer's b. and w. setter dog Toby's Mark (Brighton 
Tobe— Rill Ray), A. P. Kirk, handler. 
Colonel R., the winner, made a most excellent competi- 
tion. He ranged fast and wide, yet with judgment and.to 
the gun. His finding and pointing were skillfully done 
and with good finish. He works merrily and industri- 
ously. 
Lady's Coimt Gladstone, second, while not an ex- 
tremely wide ranger, was very wise in beating his ground 
and successful in finding and pointing. He carries him- 
self well, and has quite a wise way of going to the places 
where the birds are to be found. 
Lad of Jingo ran in greatly improved form over that 
displayed in the Eastern trials. He was steady on point 
and back. His first heat was excellent. His second was 
marred by some inaccurate point work and by momen- 
tary fiddling on false scents occasionally. 
First Round. 
Toby's Bob and Lady's Count Gladstone began at 
2:43. Count pointed, then roaded across a thicket some 
30 yards, and pointed a bevy. Sent on. Count found 
and pointed another bevy nicely. Up at 3:26. Count 
had much the better of the heat in every particular. 
Bob made an inferior competition. 
Pink Boy and Lad of Jingo started at 3:32. Lad 
beat out his ground well and made two good finds and 
points on bevies. On the scattered birds Pink made three 
good points, one of which was shared by Lad. Up at 
4:08. Boy false pointed at times. Lad ran in very fine 
form, pointing and backing well, and beating out his 
ground with good judgment. 
Young Jingo and Alex C. started at 4:14. In a corn- 
field Alex' flushed a bevy. Jingo made four points on 
singles and found and pointed a bevy well. Alex found 
and pointed a bevy in open sedge. Each dog backed well. 
Up at 5:05. Jingo had much the better of the heat. 
This ended the day's cofflpetitroa. 
"Wednesday, Fourth Day, Dec. 13, 
The weather was cleaFf «ogI and ealm in tht tuoiniut;, 
