PRIVATE business requiring Mr. Jones' presence at the
settlement at Crystal river, we took advantage of the
opportunity and followed in his wake. We reluctantly bade
good-by to Mrs. Jones, and the unbounded hospitality and
numerous sporting attractions of Homosassa. This was our
first visit to this sportsman's paradise, and we have
reason to believe that it will not be the last. Crystal
river is distant about ten miles from the Homosassa, and
the two are connected by across stream, known as Salt
river, the latter being parallel with, and distant six
miles from the Gulf. Two years since, two Northern
sportsmen were rowing a small Whitehall boat at the
Homosassa end of the river when a tarpum weighing 125
pounds leaped into the boat. The result was ludicrous in
the extreme. In his efforts to escape, the motions of the
fish imperilled the hull as well as the shins of the
occupants. Oars were tried, but the sportsmen soon
discovered that they would run the risk of knocking a hole
through the boat's bottom. Jack-knives were tested, but
the huge scale of the fish protected it. As a dernier
ressort, the two legged occupants sought refuge at either
end of the boat, and waited until the fish became
exhausted. For several miles after entering this stream,
we found it to be literally covered with wild ducks, but
as we could not utilize them, we refrained from wasting
ammunition. This river is tortuous and shallow, and
presents numerous difficulties in navigation in the way of
extensive oyster bars and mud flats. The bivalves are very
large, fat, and and almost inexhaustible. Having no
experience in the canning business, we can form no idea of
the effect of climate in interfering with the canning
process; but if the climate did not prove too warm, we
fancy that this would be one of the best locations in the
United States for a canning establishment. Wages are low,
and oysters of large size can be obtained in unlimited
quantity for a trifling outlay. The prepared oysters could
be cheaply shipped to New York, New Orleans, or Havana.

We reached the settlement of Crystal river early in the
afternoon, and received a hearty welcome. The settlement
consists of about one dozen buildings, and has
considerable trade with the interior. We entered the
basin, and found a number of springs which we sounded, the
deepest measuring but eighteen feet. In the afternoon, the
residents arranged for a fire hunt for our benefit, but as
the night was chilly and as I was suffering from an attack
of inflammation of my right thumb, following an injury, I
deemed it best to remain on the Spray, and allow Frank and
Harry to represent the party. In this connection we may
remind the uninitiated that before they engaged in fire
hunting it might be advisable for them to examine and note
the size as well as distance apart of the eyes of horses,
cows, and deer, as mistakes are liable to be made. One of
the gentlemen who was instrumental in getting up the fire
hunt, has a tender spot; and that is an error he committed
in his first fire hunt. He sighted a pair of eyes, took
deliberate aim, pulled trigger, and next day paid $25, the
value of a neighbor's cow. Within a short period a
Northern man settled not a hundred miles from New Smyrna,
and resolved upon having some sport. He started with pan
and double-barrelled gun, and after wandering several
miles, succeeded in shining the eyes of two deer, and at
both. They fell, and upon examination of the animals and
the surroundings, he realized the fact that he had lost
his way, was, near his home, and in a sportsman like
manner had killed a heifer and colt belonging to himself.

Finding nothing very attractive about the settlement, we
departed for the Crystal river oyster bars. These are
situated about four miles from the main land, and should
be visited by every sportsman who is fond of superior
bivalves. By landing on the bars at low water, large and
delicious oysters can be gathered in any quantity. We
found them to be fat, and of the most excellent flavor.
Leaving the oyster bar, we headed for the Withlacoochie
river, distant ten miles. The opening of this river can be
easily detected by the presence of a large saw-mill at the
westerly side of the river's mouth. We encamped for the
night near the mill, and the next morning commenced
ascending the stream. We ascended for several miles, but
in consequence of the height and density of the timber, we
found our sail useless; as we were not inclined to pull
against the rapid current, and as the river did not seem
to present any sporting attractions, we returned to the
mill and encamped for the night.

Next morning, at seven o'clock A. M. , we hoisted sail and
headed for Cedar Keys. Not being disposed to follow the
trend of the coast and dodge oyster-bars and nigger-heads,
we steered a course by compass, and reached the Keys at
one P. M. , at which point ended the cruise of the good
boat Spray. We have wandered some little in this, as well
as in other lands, but our trip, extending over a period
of two months, we shall always review as the most pleasant
one we have ever taken. Having found our tour so enjoyable
and satisfactory, we feel disposed to try it again, visit
the best fishing and hunting points, and examine the
portion of coast lying between Punta Rassa and Cape Sable.

In taking a farewell of the readers who may have followed
us in our cruise, I may remark that, however fishy some of
our statements may appear, they can be relied upon. To day
I received a letter from a gentleman residing in Savannah,
in which I find the following:

"I have travelled considerably in Florida, more especially
in the eastern and western points of South Florida and I
may here add, that while reading your interesting letters,
I wandered in my memory over many familiar places with
you, and I honestly congratulate you on the accuracy of
your reports.

" I may also remark that I have become so much attached to
Floridians, and am so much pleased with the climate, that
I have permanently settled in Jacksonville; and that it
will, at all times, afford me pleasure to communicate to
sportsmen visiting the State, any information in my
possession. Our good friend, the editor, is at liberty to
give my name to sportsmen who desire it. In the future we
propose visiting localities away from the beaten track of
tourist travel, and shall briefly describe their sporting
advantages, for the benefit of gunnists and fishermen.

Having acquired some little knowledge of the outfit
necessary for a trip to the south-west coast, we would
advise those who intend visiting the region to lay in an
ample supply of the best pilot bread in New York or
Savannah. A portion of the stock could be forwarded by
steamer to Tampa Bay, care of Miller & Henderson, and a
portion to Punta Rassa, to care of telegraph operator. In
a former communication, I stated that the steamer Emilie,
of Roberts' line, carried the mail between Cedar Keys and
Key West, touching at Tampa, Manatee, and Punta Rassa; but
since that was written, the government has made a change,
and the service is performed by a steamer belonging to
Captain McKay, of Tampa. Sportsmen will find the captain a
jolly, companionable, courteous and obliging Scotsman-one
who is ever ready to convey information or confer a favor.

In a former number we referred to our outfit for the
expedition, and have but a few suggestions to make. We
would recommend sportsmen to provide themselves with a
harpoon and grains, as these would be found useful in the
capture of fin-fish and tarpum; and if more noble game
would prove desirable, the aspirant for sporting fame may
fasten to a large shark or devil-fish, and, to say the
least, enjoy a tow. We frequently experienced the want of
a light skiff; and can assure the sportsmen that one would
be found very convenient. A large frying-pan, with a long
handle, would be found very useful for fire hunting. In a
recent issue of the " Forest and Stream, "we noticed an
advertisement of a lamp and reflector for night hunting,
and from the description, have reason to believe that it
might prove useful-or at least, we would like to give one
a thorough practical test. Ammunition and fishing-tackle
of good quality cannot be purchased at any point on the
coast, and we would advise sportsmen to supply themselves
with a suitable outfit. In this connection we cannot
refrain from referring to the fact that our fishing rods
and tackle were supplied by Shipley & Son, of 503 Commerce
street, Philadelphia; and gun, rifle, and ammunition by
William Wurfflein, 208 South Second street, of the same
city. The prices were moderate and quality proved to be in
every way satisfactory; and from experience we can
honestly recommend these parties to the notice of
sportsmen.

A man Friday would be found very useful, and we would
advise sportsmen to secure the services of a competent
one. Any quantity of pilots and sailing-masters can be
engaged on the south-west coast; but nearly all of them
have a weakness-that of raising the little finger too high
and too often. If any party of sportsmen should conclude
to follow in my wake, I would advise them to secure the
services of Henry Austin, of Beverly, New Jersey, who
accompanied me on my trip; who is well posted as regards
the difficulties of the navigation, and the best points
for sporting. He is temperate, willing, industrious, and
obliging; a good shot, a fair cook, and perfectly at home
in a boat. He is in possession of a valuable amount of
information regarding places visited, and would be found
very useful as a guide and sailing-master. We
unhesitatingly recommend him, and feel assured that if he
should be engaged by any  party that his services would be
found valuable.

In concluding our brief notes of a sportsman's paradise,
we may remark, that we have endeavored to be practical,
and confine ourselves to data that would interest
sportsmen; and if the end has been attained it will
gratify

"AL FRESCO.