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deep breath, plunged straight in. I gave him a brief account of 

 the history of Coelacanths, of the fantastic discovery of the East 

 London fish, the tragedy of the soft parts, my long search, the 

 recent discovery, the heat, the isolation, my fears, and my needs. 

 I emphasised that I could not be certain that this was a Coelacanth, 

 there was a risk for I had only Hunt's word for it, but of all the 

 laymen I knew Hunt was the most likely to know a Coelacanth if 

 he saw one, and I was more than satisfied that it might be the 

 greatest scientific tragedy not to make certain of it. It was a risk 

 and he must clearly realise it. It was a risk for me to take as well, 

 but there was no question in my mind that I at least must take it 

 and was prepared to ask his help to that end. I said that it was not 

 my name that was at stake; in my view with all that had gone 

 before this was a matter of national prestige. While it was of 

 world-wide importance, it was South Africa's responsibility to 

 make sure of that fish, and that was why I was appealing to him 

 for help. I had taken all the cables with me 'just in case', and read 

 him the last one from Hunt, slowly. 



He listened all the time and did not interrupt or ask any 

 questions, he was obviously soaking it all in. He was so quiet that 

 at intervals, fearing the line had been cut, I would ask 'Are you 

 there ?' and he would say Tes, go on'. When I had finished I saw 

 to my amazement that I had been talking a full twelve minutes. 

 There was a short silence, and his first words were, *I must 

 congratulate you on your Afrikaans. It is excellent.' That was 

 high praise indeed, but what about the Coelacanth ? Was this just 

 an unexpected Prime Minister's sugar-coating ? I waited in agony, 

 maybe there would be questions, but none came ; and after a short 

 silence he said speaking slowly, *Your story is remarkable, and 

 I can see at once that this is a matter of great importance. It is 

 too late to try to do anything tonight, but first thing in the morning 

 I shall get through to my Minister of Defence to ask him to al- 

 locate a suitable aeroplane to take you where you need to go. 

 Where can you be reached by telephone?' I did some quick 

 thinking and said I was on the Dunnottar Castle which was due to 

 sail in the morning, but would come to Dr. Shearer's house from 

 9 a.m. (I looked at Shearer who nodded assent) and wait there 

 for any message. Would that do ? Yes, it would. Then I thanked 

 him and we said goodnight. 



