creature comes tail foremost straight toward the 

 surface. Nor does it turn when nearing the top. It 

 breaks water, hurtling a foot or more into the air, 

 falling back fully a yard from where it emerged. 

 So close to the Hippocampus has its impetuous 

 dart and following plunge occurred that the flying 

 spray strikes my face and I taste the salt from the 

 tiny rivulets running down my cheek. 



Instinctively I look for the cause of this curious 

 maneuver. But no tangible evidence of a pursuing 

 animal is forthcoming. 



Now completely fascinated by the presence of 

 the squids, I continue to watch. It is obvious that 

 I have drifted into a considerable school. Better to 

 observe their actions, I lie prone on the forward 

 deck which is flush at the bow, and adjust the light 

 so that the angle of its rays covers a large area. 

 Numerous small crustaceans are attracted; but the 

 light draws not a single small fish — these latter 

 animals seeming to be well aware of the catas- 

 trophe that awaits exposure in the circle of illu- 

 mination. Occasionally I hear a splash coming 

 from the outer darkness, caused undoubtedly by 

 the rising of some squid. Then within plain sight, 

 but just without the lighted area, appears a living 



[348] 



