The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1901-03-01
FLORIDA LETTER

Inc An Inefe StdrLS 1Or & cruise,
on board, Mac Lewis. capt: Merry
man, mate: Barker, super cargo:
Wheeler, OF CrescO, Iowa, scout: Mrs.
Mac Lewis and Mrs. Barker, passen-
gers in charge of supplies.
With strong northeast wind the
sharpie left Lemon Bay, all sail set.
and went like n race horse for the
pass, soon she was out on The Gulf, a
run of about six miles amp she ran
into Little Gasparilla pass and out on
to Gaspariila bay. She could lay
her course and holding her speed, her
lee rail kissing the water, about four
O'Clock came to anchor under the lee
OF Carriower island, wind still fresh
and increasing. They lay here a
couple of hours. have supper and dis.
cuss whether they start for Malta sha
pass on the other side of Charlotte
Harbor. The wind blew hard but the
stars were bright and the moon shOne
like molten silver. They hoist anch'
or and start out, at first smooth un-
der the lee OF the sland, but once
fairly out, with twenty miles of water
in front of them, the northeast wind
catching them on the bow to wind
wad. just laying their course, the ''Ah
There began to dance a Highland fling
side and the spray flying the length
of her. Under the lee of Carrifower
in a little land locked harbor they
had eaten a big fish dinner and now
the tossing of the boat hogan to tell.
Said one, II don't think that fish
agreed with me, ''and the bright moon
showed pallid face that ducked and
plunged into the cabin. Another ex-
claimed, ..'Durn that fshn' and tum-
bled after. Solar plexus a little an
noyed-that was all.
In about three hours they made
Matlasha Pass and anch ored in water
as smooth as carp pond. They all
slept as good people can sleep after a
three hours racing evening sail.
In the morning they all were early
on deck with cups. of coffee in their
hands. watching the sun rise in all of
his glowing majesty fresh from his
bath in Charlotte harbor. Did you
ever see the sun come up out of the
sea, great red orb of shining gold,
with the fresh, salt air blowing in
your face?
Good company and good breakfast
strewed all around you; the white fac
es were rosy now and secuted the i'm
putation of sea sickness. ''No such
just didn't agree with me; that's all"
The ladies put out some food and
called breakfast. "Not much" called
Wheeler, of Cresco; wait a little
They looked for him and there he was
diminishing around a little mangrove
island. Soon he started for the boat
with the dingey loaded with about 500
oysters. They will bring some of the
shells for the Graphic office. Pulling
alongside he commenced to open the
bivaives. "My, N.Y. sung out Mer-
ryman; "this is immense" The Cap
tain brought another oyster knife in
to play. ''Oh the succulent bivalves!'
From their capacity you would think
they were all seasick the night before.
The tale on Merryman varies
say 100, some 100. l don't see how he
could pack over 100; but Harry Bark
er was fitted for the occasion and on
no account put his record at less than
800. After breakfast they all followed
the captain and Wheeler after sup
plies. Wading in the shallow water
they picked up ten sacks full of oys-
tiers as fine as oysters can be, and
then started for Fort Myers. a very
pretty town on the Calloosahatchie
river about ten miles above it's mouth.
Here they spend the day day, do
the town, get another oyster knife, lay
in supply of oranges, lemons and
grape fruits, and being all full up
the next morning they set sail for
Punta Rassa. Here is hotel and a
few houses.
Leaving here to go to ST. James,
a watering place on Pine Islard, and
then up Turtle bay, an enclosed bay
in Sanibel island. Sanibel is a great
trucking locality, egg plant and to-
matOes being grown in abund ance,
and all other vegetables for which
they can find a market.
The party walked across the island
to the gulf to look for shells, but 9TH
err tourists had trampe6 up and down
the beach. They found tracks innum-
cradle but very few good shells. They
did not. however, come away empty
handed, but with hands full returned
to the ''Ah There their haven of
refuge, and after a sqaure meal which
tourist must have. for tramping the
beach, salt air and the sailing are
immense aid to digestion, thev hoisted
sail, broke anchor and started for
Blind pass. lying between the north
end of Sanibel and south end of Cap
tiv aislands. Caught fish for supper:
dessert, oysters on the half shell, and
to bed, luiled to sleep by the murmur
of the waters of the Gulf and the wind
gently rustling the leaves of the man.
groves.
Next morning plunge bath in the