ALBACORA 5 



ords, won trophies, taken an active part in the growth 

 of heavy-tackle big-game fishing, and helped light-tackle 

 fishing grow into a major sport. We had gone from 

 casual tuna chasing to high-pressure international 

 competition. But in all of our experience the trip out 

 of Iquique was unique. "Uncle Lou" and I had planned 

 it to provide a meaning and a climax to our years at 

 sea. The broadbill and the marlin promised exciting 

 fights for both of us, but for the two scientists we had 

 included in our party they promised a great deal more. 

 The scientists wanted to study every game fish we could 

 catch, and on this trip the Explorer was more a labora- 

 tory than a fishing boat. 



To reach the Humboldt we had been sailing west. 

 When I looked beyond the wake I saw tiny points of 

 light flickering through the haze that sat about Iquique. 

 Soon the lights and the haze disappeared, and our only 

 contact with reality came from the rhythmic throbbing 

 of the engine and the ocean slapping ceaselessly against 

 the prow. I saw nothing but black night. I don't know 

 how long I stood at the rail staring blankly, but when 

 I finally looked up I was surprised. The sky was 

 touched with pale gray streaks. Morning birds swept 

 against the grayness. Sometimes hundreds of birds 

 soared in a group, like airplanes on some bleak mis- 

 sion. Gradually, as the streaks of dawn rose further, the 

 birds came by the thousands, twisting through forma- 

 tions too complex for me to grasp. There were all kinds 



