r, however, proved too much for my safety.
My course would be easterly until I had passed the mouth of Coanjock Bay
and Goose Castle Point, then following the trend of the west shore
southerly down the sound; but the wind raised such a rough sea that I
was obliged to turn southward into Coanjock Bay, ascend it five miles,
and seek for a crossing-place overland to the sound again, which I found
near the entrance of the lockless canal that is used by steamers to pass
from North Landing River to North River and Albemarle Sound.

A fire was soon built, upon which I placed long, light poles taken from
the drift-wood, and burning them in pieces of the required lengths, (no
axe being at hand,) I was prepared to make the portage. Laying these
pieces of wood on the ground, I drew my canoe over them to the shore of
Currituck Sound; then, by making up back-loads of the cargo, transported
everything to the point of embarkation, which was just inside the mouth
of a little creek.

The row to Currituck Narrows was not difficult, as the north wind was a
fair one. Along the west shore of the sound there were many little
houses upon the high banks, and a wind-mill supplied the place of a
water-power for grinding corn. The improvements made by Mr. Van Slyck,
of New York, were in cheering contrast to what had been seen since
leaving Norfolk. Here a comfortable hotel welcomes the northern
sportsmen, few of whom, for lack of accommodations and travelling
conveniences, go much south of this locality, in this state, to shoot
wild-fowl. Currituck Sound has an average width of four miles. Its
length is about thirty-five miles. At the Narrows, a group of marshy
islands divides it into two sections, the northern one being the
longest.

The keen, cold air of the next day made rowing a pleasant exercise.
After passing through the tortuous channel, I should have crossed to the
beach and followed it; but this part of the bay is very shallow, and
deeper water was found on the west side. It was an enjoyable morning,
for gunners were passed, secreted behind their "blinds," or pens, of
pine brush, which looked like little groves of conifera growing out of
the shoal water. Geese were honking and ducks were quacking, while the
deep booming of guns was heard every few minutes. Decoy-birds were
anchored in many places near the marshes. Every sportsman gave me a
cheering word as the canoe glided over the smooth water, while here and
there the violet-backed