The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1869-01-09

trees we were picking, and seemed halt
inclined to make an attack 1t was not
until | had cooled their courage by Il
couple of shots that they desisted, and
scuttled off into the forest, uttering the
most horrible noises.
Bv eleven o'clock we had succeeded
in filing our boats, but it was useless
to think of starting till the land-breeze
came down, which would be late in the
evening or early next morning. All
hands, therefore, began to think ofmak-
ing provision for dinner, and the steve
dore proceeded to enlighten us as to
the mode of fishing in Honduras.
The water in the lagoon, though not
so clear as outside, was yet sufficiently
so to distinguish the fish as they bask-
cd in the sunshine. Accordingly, Peter
taking his gear, consisting of a line and
spear, got into the gig with boy, and,
pulling out from the shore, let her float.
As soon as Peters practiced eye saw a
fish swimming near the surface, he
launched his spear, and struck it. The
moment the stricken fish felt the spike
it darted forward with bound and a
Jerk; but, to understand this method
of fishing, | must give description of
these spears.
First, there is long tapering staff
at the end of which is barbcd spike,
secured by beckett to line, the end
of which is fastened to a float, about
eighteen inches long, by two in diane
ter; and round which the line is wound
The float is attached to one end of the
staff, and the spike to the other, but in
such a manner that, as soon as the fish
is struck, the spike is disengaged from
one end of the staff, which immediately
reverses itself and suffers the cork-foat
to be also disengaged. The fish darts
forward, as have before observed, as
soon as it is struck, and the float being
separated from the staff, the line runs
off the reel, or float, and when it has
all run off, the cork goes bobbing about
on the surface in a most curious fash
ion.
When Peter had struck a fish he
| took no further notice of it, but went
on spcaring till he had struck about
half dozen, by which time those he
had first caught had ceased their efforts
to release themselves, and the facts
were stationary. He then commenced
to haul in his lines, which was soon
done, and when he came on shore we
found he had captured six large fish ;
one of description had never before
seen. The body was chiefly of light
geen on the back, vcrging into yellow
on the belly, variously banded and dot
ted with black, and the fins and tail
spotted with vcrmillion or bright red,
and marked on each side with peacock 5
eyes. The eye of the fish, which was
situated in the middle of the head, was
of clear bright orange, tinged in the
upper part with red.
Jones method Of cooking fish was
new, and whether he had learned it
from the Indians, or stumbled upon it
by accident, was conducted according
to the most scientific principles. The
largest of the fish having been stuffed,
was wrapped in leaves and placed in a
hole in the sand, which had previously
been filled with wood and was at the
time mass of glowing Goals As
soon as the fish was placed therein, it
was covered up, and when wanted, was
taken out and eaten Immediately. A
more delicious method of cooking fish |
never met with.
Whilst the dinner was being prepared,
| proposed to the stcrvcdorc that we
should take a bath in the lagoon
Peter, however, suggested that it was
not safe OH account ofthc alligators; but
he said he knew place outside where
we could battle without fear Accord
ingly we took the gig, and though we
grounded several times, we succeeded
in getting through the narrow channel
and reached the place Peter had spoken
of.
1t was small, but beautiful basin of
water, with fine, clear sandy bottom, ell
closed on one side by bit of beach, while
the rest was encircled by reef of rocks
In some parts the reef was just covered
with sheet of foam, while in others Jag
ged rocks jutted up i'll huge masses, over
which the swell broke with noise like
thunder. Outside the reef there was stiff
breeze blowing, but inside the surface was
calm, and waters clear; though now and
then it was curled by brisk flaw, which
rendered more refreshing and enchanting
the water of this beautiful inlet.
Not caring to anchor the boat, we undress-
ed, and plunging in, swan out to the reef.
l was enjoying myself amazingly, founder
ing about under the lee of the rocks, over
xr-1,i nl, .,f ,,,{n,
half smOthering me in natural shower
bath. The water ON the part of the reef
upon which | stood was scarcely two feet
deep, except where the swell came round,
and then | was almost taken off my legs,
such was the precarious nature of my foot
ing.
l was just waiting for another roller to
burst over me, and the stervedore was
| floating on his back in the centre of the
basin, when to my intense horror saw
large shark making towards him. cried
out loudly, GA shark ! shark ~
The stervedore, hearing this terrifying
cry, turned to see from whence the danger
came. 1t would have been useless for him
to attempt to reach the boat, so 1 shouted
| for him to striks out towards the shore
For second or two he seemed fear-strick-
Ell, and made no effort to reach the land
Suddenly, he either realized the danger of
his position, or he decided upon some plan
of escape, for he struck out boldly for the
shore. Those few seconds of indecision on
the part of Peter had enabled the monster
to get into fearful proximity to him, and
for some minutes the race was an exciting
one. held my breath and looked on half
paralyzed with terror, while foot by foot
the shark drew nearer to him expecting
every instant to see its silvery stomach