together at the top. Around this circle of poles they draw 
their canvas nearly to the top, leaving this opening for 
ventilation and for a chimney. In the centre of this they 
make a tire uud at night the family lay around with their 
feet to the fire. They make robes of rabbit skins for 
covering at night, and'to wear about their bodies in Win- 
ter. They have a great antipathy to the skin of the prairie 
wolf. They mostly keep horses” and some of them have 
large droves. It costs nothing to keep them; they are of 
the mustang species, low compact and tough. They live in 
Winter by cropping the wild grass of the valleys, and 
like the cattle, come out in the Spring in good condition. 
The religious sentiment of these Indians is difficult to 
comprehend, if they have any settled sentiments; and so 
far as I have been able to investigate the subject, I cannot 
learn that any thing has been done by the whites to bring 
them under any civil, moral, or religious cultivation. 
Indeed so fur as I can learn, the whites who live among 
them seem opposed to use any means for iheir mental or 
moral improvement; and sucli are the morals of the whites 
in general who come iu contact with the Indians, that they 
are made no better by their example. The Indians are 
very tenacious iu holding on to their ancient heathen rights 
and customs, and ridicule everything of an opposite charac- 
ter. They have no form, or customs that a white man 
would call religious; yet they have forms and customs, 
come of which are doubtless designed to he of a religious 
character. They have one man in each tribe who is re- 
garded as a doctor. He prescribes for the sick, and watches 
the symptoms of the diseased. They are really not ac- 
quainted with diseases, or remedies adapted to their cure. 
When one is taken sick, the doctor, after anointing the 
patient, commences a low guttural howl. If the patient 
gets well the howl dies away and ceases. If the patient 
grows worse the howl increases, and when the symptoms 
indicate death, he raves and breaks things, and 01 hers of 
tlio family join in until the place becomes a bedlam. If 
the patient dies the tent is burnt to the ground with its 
effects; and if a child, its body is burnt with the wake-e-up. 
Its hones are then taken and buried in the rocks. First 
the bones are covered with brush, then stones are drawn 
up on the brush until quite a monument is raised to make 
the place of interment. I have seen a number of these 
monuments. If an adult dies, the body is laid high on the 
rocks to dry and perish. Food is carried and laid by the 
body for a given time. Sometimes the body is hung in the 
top of a tree. 
The dress of this tribe in Winter is tanned bucskkin 
made into a robe trimmed aiound the bottom and waist of 
the Bame material iu the most fantastic form. With this 
on over their other rags, they feel themselves dressed as 
richly as a white woman in her richest silks. On entering 
the house of a white man they take off their moccasins and 
remain barefooted while in the house. After the death of 
a relative they cut cruel gashes in their legs and arms until 
they are one gore of blood. They also mangle their horses 
by slitting and cropping their ears. Whether this is done 
for an atonement for the dead or to ward off disease, I can- 
not say. 
They have a custom of dancing which is kept up at cer- 
tain seasons of the year without fail. They collect together 
by hundreds, male and female; the first thing after con- 
gregating is to prepare a lurge quantity of soup, made from 
rabbits, prairie hens and other birds, which are procured 
for the purpose. With this they mix all kinds of roots and 
herbs, of which they are accustomed to eat. This done, 
they fall to dancing; men and women each in separate 
rings. The men anil women never dance together. An In- 
dian would think it was letting himself down to dance with 
his squaw, and would be laughed at and ridiculed by the 
other Indians. They all join hands, and each and all com- 
mence to dance by uttering a low uncouth guttural grunt. 
They now go round and round, keeping up this grunt 
which is all the music they have. They always dance by 
the light of a fire, old and young engaging in it. They 
keep this up for hours without stopping, until the more 
aged and infirm become weary and fall to tlie ground. The 
return of day only closes the sport. The day time is oc- 
cupied in eating and sleeping. This dauce is kept up for 
five successive nights, when they disperse. The feature 
which is worthy of notice in these Indians is that they do 
not use intoxicating liquors. I have never seen one of them 
drunk. They despise whiskey — yet they are the most jovial 
and volatile set of beings I ever saw. 
Rev. H. Chase. 
SOUTHWES T FLOR IDA— NO. 9. 
BEINO NOTES OF A TOOR OF EXPLORATION — BY OOB OWN 
COMMISSIONER. 
, 
A FAIR wind favoring U9 we left Little Gasparilla Pass 
at 7.80 A. M., and reached Little Sarasota Inlet at 
8.20 P. M. — a run of thirty-eight miles. En route we no- 
ticed two boats and several objects moving on the beach. 
Examining them with our glass we discovered that the men 
were poling tlio boat against a head wind, and that the 
females had landed on the beach, and were keeping pace 
with their lords. A peculiarity of the southwest coast is a 
calm ocean and little, if a^y, surf, unless after a storm, 
enabling persons to laud without inconvenience or danger. 
Having sailed over many oceans and visited more thau one 
coast line, we had formed an unfavorable opiuion of shore 
lines and surf generally, but we returned to our northern 
home with changed opinions, as far as the southwest coast 
is concerned. Our first thirty-eight miles of sea navigation 
was uudertukeu with some reluctance, but the return voy- 
age was simply viewed in the light of a pleasure trip, and 
was found to be most enjoyable. If I undertake another 
cruise on the coast it is more than probable that 1 shall 
take the outside route, and thereby escape the annoyance 
of oyster bars and mud fiats; as a matter of course, if the 
bosom of old mother ocean happened to he lumpy, with au 
uncomfortable amount of dust flyiug, I would take the in- 
side route. The entire coast from Cedar Keys to Charlotte 
Harbor can he safely navigated in a 10 foot Whitehall 
skiff. Af proof that our opiuion is not based upon a few 
miles of sea work or one day’s experience outside of the 
islands, our voyaging ut sea amounts to over 175 miles. 
Entering Sarasota Inlet and finding the wind favorable 
we kept on our course, and reached the neighborhood of 
Anna Maria Key, at the head of Sarasota Bay, at 10 P. M., 
where we anchored for the night. Starting early next 
morning, we reuched Manatee at 9 A. M. At 10 A. M. the 
steamer Emilia moored to the dock, und the courteous Cap- 
tain (Lefferts) kindly offered to give us a tow to Tampa, 
rty miles distant, whieh w« accepted with thanks. We 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
reached Tampa early in the afternoon, and received a hearty 
welcome from many friends. Tampa is situated on the 
Hillsboro River where it enters Tampa Bay, and is a pleas 
ant town of about five hundred inhabitants. Society is 
excellent, aud the inhabitants kind and hospitable in the 
extreme. The climate i9 good, and an invalid who is par- 
tial to quietness might spend a Winter there very pleas- 
autly. The town contains several boarding houses, and 
from information gleaned from several parties I can recom 
mend the house kept by D. Isaac Craft. I visited the house, 
and found everything neat and clean. Mr. Craft's terms 
are $60 per month tor two persons in a room. During the 
Winter months the climate is pleasant, and the health of 
the place unexceptionable. At this place I made the ac- 
quaintance of Dr. Wall, and found him geuial and cour- 
teous in the extreme, aud, as a medical man, we formed a 
favorable opinion of his attainments, and we can assure 
invalids that if they should visit the place that they will 
find iu the Doctor a gentleman aud an educated and skill- 
ful practitioner of medicine. I am convinced that Tampa 
would be more frequently visited if invalids could hut 
reulizc the climatic advantages of the southwest coast. 
For the piscator Tampa does not present many induce- 
ments. A few miles up the river fair trout fishing can he 
obtained, and about the dock9 and iu the chanuel passable 
sheepsheadiug will he fouud. By taking a row or sail boat 
anil proceeding to the oyster bar, nine miles down the bay, 
superior sheepshead and drum fishing can be enjoyed. On 
the morning of our departure we were notified that a hunt- 
ing and fishing party had been made up for our benefit; 
that it was the intention of the party to tuke a boat aud 
outfit by a mule team to a point on the river forty miles 
above Tampa, and to fish the river and hunt the south bank 
on the return trip. To have carried out the programme 
from ten to fourteen days would have been required, and 
as our time was limited, we found it impossible to accept 
the invitation so kindly extended. At this point I made 
the acquaintance of Mr. Charles Moore, originally of Bos- 
ton, Mass., hut a r-sident of Tampa since the war. Mr. 
M. informed us that he would furnish sportsmen with a 
boat, mule team, and wagon and his services for $5 per 
day— truly a cheap hunting and fishing outfit. He stated 
his intention of building during the eusuing Summer a 
boat suitable for the coast, and that he would be prepared 
to fit out and accompany sportiug parties on reasonable 
terms. Iu this connection we may remark that several 
parties residing at Manatee can supply boats adapted to the 
wauts of coasting parties, and to ascertain names and prices 
tourists might address Edmund E. Lee, Esq., Manatee. 
Being acquainted with this gentleman, we feel assured that 
he would aid tourists and others in any way. 
We cleaned boat, aired clothing, and purchased a barrel 
of “ new and first-class pilot bread," and left Tampa with 
its hospitable inhabitants behind. We reached the oyster 
bar at 8 P. M., and came to anchor. In the morning we 
laid in a stock of oysters and proceeded to the wreck of 
the H. M. Cool, to the south of Gadsden’s Point. We 
tested the fishing about the reef, but, to our surprise, failed 
to eupture fish enough for our dinner. Onward and north- 
ward being our motto we steered for Big Bayou, where we 
found a sate anchorage for the night. 
But to the biscuit business. I have reason to believe 
that my readers will conclude that the crew of the Spray 
had an attack of biscuits on the brain, but when it becomes 
necessary to keep the teeth going and the staff of life can- 
not be obtained, the biscuit business becomes an important 
subject. We purchased our barrel of “ fresh and first- 
class pilot bread" from a firm whose names we shall not 
mention ; for it is possible that the clerk may have made a 
mistake and delivered the wrong barrel. We opened the 
barrel, and the first thing that met our gaze were hundreds 
of well developed cockroaches. We carefully separated 
biscuits from roaches, the bread being consigned to our 
bread box und the roaches to the briny deep. We made 
an attack upon the new biscuit, but discovered that eating 
them was a difficult undertaking; for each biscuit contained 
numerous slate-colored insects lasting like quinine. To 
eat such bread was impossible, so we were forced to fall 
hack on sweet potatoes and fish until we could reach Clear 
Water Harbor. To intending tourists or sportsmen we 
would say: lay in an ample supply of pilot bread before 
leaving New York or Savannah, aud not trust to luck, as 
did "Al Fresco” and his companions. It is possible that a 
supply of edible biscuit may he obtained on the coast an- 
other year, hut if we ever visit the region again we shall 
lay in a larger stock of bread than we did on the occasion 
of our last cruise. 
Mullet Key, at the mouth of Tampa Bay, is a noted 
range for deer, and the still huuter will find it worth a 
visit. We were informed by a gentleman of the colored 
persuasion, who was in the habit of visiting the island, 
that rattlesnakes were plentiful and of a remarkable size; 
this statement we give as we received it, hut would suggest 
to hunters the propriety of wearing leggings and looking 
out for “ snakes in the gross” if they ever visit this island. 
Leaving Point Prunelles we steered a course for John's 
Pass, and landed on the islaud on the west side of the en- 
trance, and in a few minutes captured a number of fine 
sheepshead. This locality is noted for its beautiful marine 
algte, and we deeply regretted the want of proper appliauces 
to collect and preserve specimens. On the point of the 
island, ut the north side of the entrance, we found a shal- 
low lagoon containing fish water, a matter of interest to 
sportsmen and tourists. An examination of the end of 
the island showed the existence of deer tracks in every 
direction. We hoisted sail and steered a course for the 
northern end of Tumpa Bay, where we found the hay to 
diminish in width and assume the appearance of a river. 
On our left the shore of the sea island varied from Bix to 
ten feet high, and on our right or main laud side mud aud 
grassy flats were frequently passed, aud these were literally 
covered with ducks, snipe, and curlews. As we approached 
the head of Clear Water Harbor we found the passage to 
become very narrow and ultimately end in a shallow mud- 
flat, where the Spray grounded. The tide was ebbing, so 
we deemed it best to apply a muscular breeze and reach 
deep water. Harry pulled at the cable, und Frauk and 1 
applied ourselves to the stem of the boat, and this way 
we worked her for two hundred yards in less than one foot 
of water. Soon after reaching Clear Water Harbor we 
sighted Mrs. Teemer’s residence, and landed. From Mrs. 
T° we purchased a supply of the largest and mo9t delicious 
orauges to be obtained on the southwest coast. It was the 
Sabbath when we reached the dock at the first store in the 
harbor, und we deemed it advisable to secure a supply of 
crackers. We visited the store, and the old fellow who 
kept it being religiously inclined, at first positively refused 
229 
to sell us anything to cat, but when I assured him that we 
wore in want he opened his heart and consented to sell ue 
enough to last until morning. I engaged him in conver- 
sation regarding oranges, climate, soil, and the advantages 
and resources of the locality, and before I left purchased 
all his soda aud sugar crackers. My clothing was anything 
but attractive, but when the sanctimonious old gentleman 
saw me open my pocketbook, aud noticed that it contained 
the sinews of war, his Christian prejudices melted like ice 
In July. Before leaving he iuduccd Frank to purchase a 
small bunch of banannas, but when we attempted to eat 
them we found that they equaled a poor turnip in flavor. 
The laud at this point Is excellent, health unexcelled, and 
the climate all that can be desired by the settler. The 
land aloug the harbor is high, and the locality is rapidly 
settling up. At the passes the Ashing is inferior, as com- 
pared with many poiuls to the north or south. The resi- 
dents of the inaiu land occasionally visit the islands uud 
drive for deer, and in consequence these animals are shy 
and difficult to approach by the still huuter. 
Finding nothing to interest or detain us at Clear Water 
Harbor we headed our boat for the Anelote River, ten 
miles to the northward. Leaving the northern end of the 
harbor the tourist must follow the chaunel for two miles 
toward the Anelote Keys, so as to clear an extensive sand 
bank hounding the northern side of the channel. After 
rounding the bank a northwest course must he kept, leav- 
ing the shore two or three miles to the light. At this dis- 
tance from land the water will he found to he about four 
or five feet iu depth, und a lookout must be kept for 11 nig- 
ger heads,” black rocks, in some cases covered with but a 
lew iuclies of water. The water is very clear, and no dif- 
ficulty will be experienced in detecting them if ordinary 
care is taken. After making a few miles of northing a 
long poiut will be noticed covered with tall pines, and to 
the left several small keys. By keeping close to the point 
and following the channel next the main laud the Aneloto 
.River will be found a quarter of a mile north of the point. 
A short distance from the mouth of the river, on the uorih 
side, the tourist will notice some stakes, and if ho lands he 
will find a well of excellent water hut a few yards from the 
beach. We fouud the river wide and shallow, and the 
navigation extremely difficult! Iu consequence of the exist- 
ence of numerous and extensive oyster bars. Proceeding 
up the river one uvje we noticed a liouso ou the left hank 
and came to an ehor. In front of the house excellent 
red sheepshead and w k fishing cun he obtained. 
Al Fresco. 
^ ■ » ■ ■— 
For Foreit and .Stream. 
DUCK SHOOTI NGINTHE NORTHWEST. 
R IVER shooting is too monotonous to allow a detailed 
account, and if you have boiuc of the main points, 
with au occasional comment, you will be able to appreciate 
some of the sport we actuully experienced. The stage of 
the water being about the proper height uud ducks report- 
ed in paying quantities, I began arrangements preparatory 
to a two days’ siege. There being quite a number of our 
crowd we decided to "opeu the ball” by taking two boats; 
and breakfasting early on Friday morning we fouud our- 
selves uud equipmcn‘3 awaiting the railway train conduc- 
tor's signal for a start. The train being loaded, (box cars) 
the boats were put ou top, and two of our party were kept 
comfortably busy with holding them to their places, and 
keeping the cinders from their eyes, while the other four 
entertained the conductor. Passing the Chelsea station, 
we left word for supper to be prepared for six hungry 
hunters, ns soon as it became too dark for skooliug, ami a 
run of ten miles more brought us to Tama, where a dray 
and twenty-live ceuts soon landed us on the banks of the 
famous Iowa. The transportation from home to Tama 
being at the railroad company's expense, we felt that wo 
should indulge in a little extravagance, hence the dray lux- 
ury. The distance we had determined to hunt over is 
what, heretofore, we have taken two days to accomplish, 
and we settled to our work quite systematically, dividing 
our party into paddling squads of two, each squad to work 
at the paddlei an hour, giviug them one hour ou duty and 
two hours for resting. We knew if we stopped to hunt 
the bayous, or delayed to iook for wounded birds, night 
would he upon us before we could reach our journey's 
end; for this reason we could not hunt our grounds very 
thoroughly, simply paying our respects to the unfortunates 
that happened to shelter themselves in the willows. As 
we rounded a bend two teal flew, and with each barrel 1 
killed one, and charging shells as soon as possible, two 
mallards wore seen flying across the Limber at long range. 
I flred, and one of them yielded to the persuasion, hut none 
of us heard him strike the ground. When I reached the 
point where the duck had dropped I found him wedged in 
the top of a maple, the trunk of which was six incites in 
diameter. It was held by three limbs, and so firmly 
wedged that I had to call for the hoys to bring me the axe 
before 1 could secure my game. By continual working we 
made the point we had selected as our landing place, just 
us the sun dropped out of sight, and upon counting up our 
birds found we had seventy- three iu the boat, forty-five of 
which were mallards. After a heurty supper came pre- 
parations for the next day, and an hour and a half was 
spent in cleaning guus and loading shells, after which a 
six o’clock breakfast was ordered, aud we were shown to 
our rooms. 
At seven o’clock were again afloat. Wo had plenty of 
time to reach the bridge, aud decided to he us lazy as we 
pleased by taking considerable hank shooting, and it was 
the desire of each squad that Ibis should he done when 
their hour came to work at the paddles. At noon we were 
feeling quite discouraged that there should he so few birds 
in the river; but from the dinner hour until the cud of our 
journey we found the ducks more plenty, and ut one time 
1 really believe I saw more of them iu the air from the 
noise of our guns than all we had seen for the day uud a 
half before. The air was so alive with them we ran 
ashore, aud while standing on the hunks knocked down 
nine, all mallards. Out of these nine, five fell dead iu tlio 
river. This was a fair specimen of our luck iu recovering 
hit birds. At five o’clock we reached the bridge, and 
twenty minutes later our boats were louded iu the wugou 
that awaited our arrival, and six o’clock found us home. 
The last day’s result was an even fifty, thirty-eight of 
which were mallards. The trip was splendid, uud bus taught 
me one thing, which is, that 1 may he proud of my new 
gun; for taking into consideration the toughness of Spring 
ducks and the distance at which I killed some of them, it 
will be necessary for me to roll my shot in salt for chicken 
shooting, or they will spoil before I can get to them 
