An Isle in the Ocean

COBB'S ISLAND, VA, AUGUST 10, 1878.

The Indians had a tradition that King Neptune married the Naaid Queen for his first wife and settled on this island, where he raised a large family of young Neptunes, and in this way settled the islands on the Atlantic coast, and became god of the sea by this act of nepotism. His trident guided the Storm King, and he made good or bad weather as suited his purpose. This was many years before "old probabilities" undertook the job, or made a contract with the War Department to manage heaven's artillery. The island, beside this, is called to this day "Wreck Island," because "King Neptune" waved his trident and caused everything to be wrecked on this island, including the flotilla of mud scows, then commanded by Pocahontas, with John Smith for second mate, which traded along the coast, exchanging sweet potatoes for wampum.

KING NEPTUNE FELL IN LOVE

with Pocahontas, and on account of jealousy the Naaid Queen went for this dusky Indian maiden and divested her of all her back hair, which fell on a barren sand bank, and at once sea weed commenced to grow there in honor of the event, and the natives of the island point out the spot as proof of the scrimmage between these lovely females. Pocahontas then retired up the James river, same as the Merrimac did after she encountered the monitor. Pocahontas was an injured female, and bore a striking resemblance to Mrs. Tilton, while the Naaid Queen was a more masculine creature, and looked like Mrs. Woodhull. Kind Neptune got disgusted with this Amazonian war, and soon after died of "misery in the epigastrium." At least it is so recorded by the Board of Health in those days, and signed by Dr. Fra Diavolo, as health officer, who was husband of Il Trovatore. These historical traditions were never doubted by the Indians of those days, for unbelievers were put to death, same as they should be at the present time. And besides all this, the Indians were truthful in those days, for there had been no Indian Commissioners among them.

After the death of King Neptune no one was allowed to live on the island, and the "Great Spirit" took possession of it. But nothing was too sacred for

THE EARLIEST SETTLERS OF VIRGINIA,

and in the year 1734 a patent was granted for it by "the grace of God, the great Jehovah, and his Majesty George II, king of the British realm," as the venerable old patent now reads in the possession of the father of all the Cobbs, and which is written in plain, round hand, on heavy parchment. It is signed by William Gooch, "Colonial Governor of the Dominion of Virginia." It looks like a bandage taken off an Egyptian mummy.

Thirty-four years ago a disciple of Neptune, raised on Cape Cod, where most of the Neptune family settled, came here and paid $156 for this island, which is now worth at least $100 000. It then had but 86 acres, and was stretched out seven miles long, and has caught so much debris that it is now much larger. So much for the island trying to spread itself. On account of its pre-adamite history it has been the headquarters for the famous sea-serpent, who is always accompanied here on his tours of inspection by the fairest mermaids the coral depths can boast.

SOME SCIENTIFIC YOUNG MEN,

having very inquiring minds, belonging to Lafayette Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Washington, resolved to see the sea-serpent and capture a few of the mermaids, planned out an excursion to this isle of the sea. Like everything they do it was a success. Their novel purpose and philanthropic designs were seconded by a number of prominent Masons of Baltimore.

This brilliant party swept over Chesapeake Bay in the steamer Louisiana, like the Naaid Queen, as she winged it over Cobb's Island. In the gray mist of early dawn they left this magnificent steamer and passed ashore at Fortress Monroe next morning, feeling their way, while half awake and mistaking flour barrels on the boat for mermaids, and begging their pardon for stepping on their toes. At the Hygeia Hotel Mr. Phoebus had breakfast for the party, and what appetites! and, Phoebus, what a breakfast! Then the steamer N. P. Banks came along to take us to Cherrystone, freighted with seven hundred souls going to a camp-meeting.

After participating in the fair and camp-meeting at Cherrystone, where the white and black brethren were alternately singing, dancing, and "getting religion," the party went on to

COBB'S ISLAND,

and arrived at this little gem of the ocean about 4 P.M.

The main hotel is surrounded by grand old willows, and a large grape harbor is directly in front, where boarders sit and smoke after gathering figs from the tree around the house, and watermelons and cantelopes from the vines. About a dozen cottages surround the house, mostly filled with Baltimoreans, although one is occupied by Chief Justice Casey, of Washington, and Hon. J. A. J. Creswell, late Postmaster General.

A few rods from the house the beach is seen, where the surf bathing, for which the island is famous, can be had at all hours. The waves roll in from across the ocean, 8,000 miles, and strike land here for the first time. They are from six to ten feet high and as white as snow. A sand bar prevents any undercurrent, and protects from sharks, who cannot get in, even at high tide, over the bar.