Swinging in a crescent chain that points a diminishing northern tip toward Long Island and a wayward southern isle toward Cuba, these emerald islets are rarely seen by tourists, yet greatly admired by the few yachtsmen who cruise here, then rave of the natural beauty. In its heyday during the latter 1800s, Ragged Island—just north of the chain's southernmost Little Ragged Island—boasted about 350 inhabitants and a thriving salt industry. Today, the chain's minute size, relative poverty and sparse population have so far inhibited its entry into modern tourism or other industries,