THE morning after our arrival at the mouth of the
Homosassa we were moving by daylight, and after breakfast
followed in the wake of our new friends, as their boatmen
professed to be acquainted with the channel. We had not
proceeded over one mile before we found the Spray to be
hard and fast on a cove-oyster bar. As the boat belonging
to our new friends was light draught, they left us alone
in our glory. Finally we found the channel, and proceeded
but a short distance when we discovered what appeared to
be two rivers, and we naturally followed the widest. By
the use of the lead we found the channel to shoal rapidly,
so we returned and took the right-hand stream, and after
sailing a distance of four miles we sighted a residence on
a high shell bank and an attractive boat-house at the
water's edge. As we reached the landing, the rain
descended in torrents, and we pushed the stern of the
Spray under the boat-house. We had barely secured the boat
before a youth presented himself and invited us to accept
the hospitalities of the house. We inquired for Mr. Jones,
and were informed that he was absent, so we politely
declined the invitation so hospitably extended. As it was
blowing a gale we deemed it prudent not to light a fire in
our stove, but indulged in a homopathic meal, consisting
of three red herrings, a cup of lemonade, and a few soda
crackers per man. Our frugal repast was barely finished
when we received a pressing invitation to dinner, and as
our clothing was not very ornamental, we offered as an
excuse that we had dined sumptuously. Soon after we
noticed a lady running through the rain toward the boat-
house, and her pleasant and smiling face convinced us that
she was kind and hospitable, and, in words, she informed
us that "Mr. Jones was absent, but that she was chief of
the establishment under the circumstances." Finding that
"no excuse would be accepted, and that we must make
ourselves at home," we surrendered, and followed her to
the dining room. Upon entering we found a large dining
table groaning under a supply of edibles that would have
gratified both a gourmand and a gourmet. For nearly two
months we had not taken a seat at a table, and it was
simply a caution to cooks to see the manner in which we
deposited boiled and baked sheepshead, roasted and stewed
wild ducks, beef, vegetables, home-made bread, fresh milk
and butter, an excellent dessert, and an indefinite number
of the most delicious oranges.

After dinner we expressed a desire to leave and reach the
head of the river, but Mrs. J. insisted upon our remaining
until Mr. J. returned, and finding that excuses were
useless, we accepted the invitation so hospitably
tendered. Homosassa was the residence of the Hon. Mr.
Yulee before the war, and the house is situated on a shell
mound sloping to the river. Along the water's edge a
permanent stone wall a quarter of a mile in length has
been constructed. Near the stone-wall a row of gigantic
fig trees are growing, the spread of the branches of the
largest being fifty-three feet. The river is about ten
miles in length, and as soon as the weather permitted we
examined it to its source, as well as the adjoining
country. Two miles above Mr. J.s residence we left the
boat, and landed at the lower edge of the old sugar
plantation. Here we found an old clearing of several
hundred acres, which had been devoted to sugar culture ill
times past. In traversing the old plantation we noticed
deer and turkey tracks in every direction. We reached in
the river again at the old sugar house, and took seats in
the yawl boat. Proceeding up the stream we noticed large
fish in thou sands fleeing before the boat. After a
pleasant journey we found ourselves floating in the bosom
of Homosassa Spring-truly an enchanting spot, a view of
which repaid us for all our wanderings. Looking over the
side of the boat we noticed a number of huge snapping
turtles clinging to the rocky ledges, and cavalli, red-
fish, bass, sheepshead, weak-fish and red and black
grouper in thousands leisurely swimming about the basin.
In this spring all the species of fish are ever ready to
take a bait, and the follower of Old Isaac can obtain a
surfeit of sport at any time. Owing to the voracity of the
fish and the clearness of the water the piscator can
select the variety of fish he wishes to capture. In
consequence of the presence of a number of large turtles
and such countless numbers of fish, the water in this
basin is not as clear as it is in some others, thirty-five
to forty feet being the limit where fish can be seen. We
measured the deepest point in the basin and found the lead
to reach bottom at forty-eight feet.

Around the basin and along the banks of the river we found
large numbers of water turkeys, cormorants, fish-hawks,
and species of the heron and crane families, which were
more easily approached than on any stream we have visited.
Ducks, not to be enumerated by thousands but by square
acres, were visible to the right and left, and before and
behind us. The sportsman can find accommodations at Mr.
Jones', and can fully occupy his time. Near the house
excellent sheepsheading exists, and these noble fish, of
large size, can be captured until the arms ache. By
trolling with a spoon or spinner, red-fish can be caught
ranging from five to thirty pounds. A year or two since, a
gentleman from the Hub engaged in this kind of fishing,
and pickerel fisher like, placed the line between his
teeth. He secured a bite, the line fouled, and at the end
of the performance he was minus a tooth but landed a
thirty-two pound red fish. By visiting the spring four
miles from the house, the knight of the rod can land fish
of large size as rapidly as he can bait and secure his
fish. If he desires larger and more clumsy game he can
amuse himself capturing turtles ranging from eighteen to
thirty inches in length. In the Homosassa and Salt rivers,
and in the bayous and blind creek near Mr. Jones'
residence, the shootist will find ducks by the square
acre, and if he is disposed to engage in the destruction
of larger game such as pelicans, gannet, and an endless
variety of herons and cranes --all that is necessary to be
done is to lay in a stock of provisions, take a boat, and
sail to one of the St. Martin's Keys-a few miles from the
mouth of the Homosassa. On one of these keys the sportsman
will find a rookery, where the sea birds, frequenting an
area of probably forty miles, nightly collect to roost.

At the old sugar plantation two miles above the house,
good quail and snipe shooting is obtainable. Bears exist
in the hammocks, and can be captured if the sportsman
secures the services of a " cracker "with his bear dogs.
The neighborhood seems to be a favorite resort for deer,
and for this description of the sport we can
unhesitatingly recommend Jones' as a place of resort. The
still hunter, by visiting the old sugar plantation on the
edge of the pine timber, four miles from the house, will
experience but little difficulty in securing a pair of
antlers worthy of gracing his Northern home. For miles
west and south-west of the house large areas of low-lying
land exist, covered with a luxuriant growth of rushes and
coarse gasses, with here and there islands of timber,
consisting of gum, live and swamp oak, cedar and cabbage
palms. The low lands furnish excellent feed, and the
islands shelter for deer. Late in the year the rushes and
grasses lose their vitality, and if a windy day is
selected, thousands of acres can be burned over by the
application of a single match. In a few weeks the fiats
will be covered with a luxuriant and succulent growth of
grass, and deer will visit the locality in numbers. These
flats are comparatively dry, and would furnish the fire-
pan hunter an excellent field for sport. If parties who
propose visiting Homosassa would communicate with Mr.
Jones a few weeks in advance, be would burn off a few
square miles of marsh for the benefit of his visitors. If
turkey shooting is desired, the sportsman can enjoy it by
ascending the river to the spring, and proceeding to the
edge of the pine timber. Mr. Jones nephew, a mere lad,
informed us that he had killed sixteen deer within a short
period, and in hail of the house, on a small clearing on
the opposite side of the river. As Frank was unacquainted
with fire, hunting, I suggested that we should engage in
the sport. After supper we provided ourselves with some
fat pine, and along-handled frying-pan. We landed on the
opposite bank at the clearing, lighted our fire, and had not
proceeded over eighty yards before we noticed four fine
deer within thirty yards. Fortunately for the deer, Frank
had an acute attack of the buck fever and aimed at the
Pleiades. While he was taking aim I heard voices at the
house; hence here was deer shooting within a reasonable
distance from home. Next day I suggested another hunt, and
intimated that I would try my luck. After supper, several
visitors, Harry, Frank, Mr. J.'s nephew, Fifteenth
Amendment Dick, and Al Fresco-seven in all-left for the
clearing, truly a sufficient number to prevent the
possibility of securing a deer. We lighted our fire, and
had not proceeded over one hundred yards before I noticed
four deer within twenty yards of the light, but owing to
the noise made by the seven pairs of feet tramping through
the dry grass, they were alarmed, and before I could step
in front of the light to insure accuracy of aim they
bounded into the hammock. Looking to the right I noticed a
pair of eyes at a distance of probably eighty yards. I
gave him both barrels, and although wounded he escaped.
Those who are posted will remark that it was madness to
attempt fire hunting with such a retinue, and I am
prepared to admit the uselessness of the proceeding, but I
dislike to be selfish and insist on engaging in the sport
with but one companion. On the first occasion our party
numbered five, and on the last seven, and if deer can be
so easily approached by such numbers, what would be the
result if the sportsman carried his own head light, or was
merely attended by the pan carrier.

Salt river is a tidal channel, extending from the
Homosassa to the Crystal river, and is about ten miles in
length, with its bottom literally paved with large and
luscious-cooking oysters. The bars off the mouth of the
Crystal river are covered with the largest and finest salt
oysters to be found on the American coast. When he has
visitors Mr. Jones visits these beds weekly, and obtains a
boat load of these delicious bivalves for the benefit of
his guests, who can have them cooked how or when they
like, or can open and deposit them when the spirit moveth.
Having referred to the bivalve attractions of the place, I
may as well notice the host and hostess as well as the
house and dietetic attractions.

Mr. Jones is a Bostonian, and served with honor in the
First Massachusetts cavalry during the war. Visitors will
find him quiet, intelligent, unobtrusive, and ever
studious of the comfort of his guests. Mrs. Jones is a
native of Bloomfield, New York, and will be found to be
intelligent, affable, kind, and ever ready to contribute
to the comfort and pleasures of those who favor her with
their patronage. She seems to anticipate every want of her
visitors, and as a cook and housekeeper she cannot be
excelled. Everything was scrupulously clean, and the table
in every way unexceptionable. What the visitor to Florida
seldom meets with, he will find at Homosassa-the best of
home-made bread, fresh milk twice daily, and fresh butter
at least twice weekly. In addition to a lavish supply of
the necessaries and luxuries of life, the visitor is
expected to deposit an indefinite number of the most
delicious oranges after each meal, between times, and
before retiring at night. The house is near the river, one
story high, and surrounded by a spacious veranda. The
rooms open on the verandas on two sides, the ceilings
being very high, and each having a fire-place in it. The
beds are such as visitors seldom find in Florida. Owing to
the limited number of rooms, Mr. Jones can accommodate but
four couples in the main building, but at a distance of
one hundred yards from the house, is Liberty Hall, where
from two to four stags can sleep and enjoy themselves. If
justified (and I sincerely hope he will be), Mr. Jones
will add to his present building.

In my humble opinion no place in the State presents so
many attractions for the sportsman, if we take into
consideration the sporting advantages in connection with
home comforts, excellent accommodations, superior table,
perfect cleanliness, and an admirable climate. Sportsmen
who wish to enjoy themselves, and at the same time be
accompanied by their better halves, will find this place
to offer many attractions. If a stag party of from two to
four wish to enjoy themselves for a few weeks or months,
we would recommend them to engage Liberty Hall. What
surprised me most was the moderate charge for the
accommodations furnished from $10 to $12 per week.
Visitors will find an ample supply of boats, and for a
trifling charge, negroes living on the plantation will
keep the piscator supplied with bait. Mr. Jones is the
postmaster, and the place is provided with a weekly mail.
We spent a week at Homosassa, and found but one thing to
annoy, that being the fact that we were compelled to
leave.

To those who propose visiting the locality we would say,
provide a strong bass rod, a crab net, and a full supply
of strong hooks and lines. In this connection we may
remark that we tested at this point as well as many
others, a sheepshead hook manufactured by Shipley & Son,
of No. 503 Commerce street, Philadelphia, and we can
unhesitatingly recommend it as unequalled for strength and
temper. The only fault of the hook in the shortness of the
shank, which should be twice the present length.

Some of my readers will ask, Where is Homosassa, and how
can it be reached? which I will explain. It is about forty
miles from Cedar Keys, and may be reached by two routes-
one via Savannah, Fernandina, or Jacksonville to Cedar
Keys, and the other via Silver Spring and Ocala. The
sportsman can easily ascertain upon what day he will reach
Cedar Keys, and by addressing Alfred Jones, postmaster,
Homosassa, Florida, in advance of the day of arrival, Mr.
Jones will be found on the keys with a boat to transport
visitors to his place free of charge. If unable to
communicate with Mr. Jones, a suitable boat may be
chartered at Cedar Keys for about $10 for the trip. If the
sportsman is desirous of visiting an interesting and
attractive portion of the State, he can take steamer from
Jacksonville to Silver Spring, and back from the spring to
Ocala-a distance of six miles from Ocala to Homosassa the
distance is forty miles, over a good road, and E. J.
Harris, of the Ocala House, will make the necessary
arrangements for transportation of visitors to the
hospitable ingle-side of A. E. Jones. We have at various
times wandered over a large portion of the State, and in
all sincerity can assure the readers that, taking
everything into consideration, we found Jones', on the
Homosassa, the most attractive point we have thus far
found in Florida; and if alive and kicking during the
course of next winter we propose visiting there again, and
it would afford me great pleasure to meet some of the
sporting readers at the hospitable home of Alfred E.
Jones.