ALBACORA 7 



shots and catching marlin from this skiff could do it." 



"Well, that should be easy enough," Doty said. 



"Now wait a minute," Lou said. "That just starts the 

 excitement. Genie or I will jump out of this boat into 

 the WaWa the minute we spot a big billfish. Then we'll 

 hook the fish and try to land him. I'll call out and tell 

 you where to point your camera." 



Lou was not displaying ego. He has caught thousands 

 of big fish and has come to know the patterns of their 

 battle tactics. Still, Doty seemed doubtful about the 

 whole thing. "You mean you're going to catch a big 

 fish in that?" he asked. 



"Sure," Lou said. "We know what we're doing. We'll 

 get them. Don't worry." 



Lou did not bother to emphasize how much real risk 

 would have existed had we been any less skillful. If 

 anything went wrong even six senses would be barely 

 enough to save anyone in the WaWa. Without effort a 

 broadbill can ram his bill through a strong man's 

 chest. Not long ago one smashed his bill through a 

 Danish beachwood hull that was two and one-half 

 inches thick. Another split a thinner hull and drove on 

 through the spine of a fisherman. Marlin have impaled 

 themselves on boats bigger than our WaWa, thrusting 

 their swords into one side and out the other. These fish 

 are big, strong and tough, and they fight like gladia- 

 tors. 



"Today we aren't going to worry about the time ele- 



