THE TARPON 59 



I naturally concluded that such an experience was not likely 

 to recur for although many tarpon had hit the boat in the past, 

 none had ventured to remain. 



The next night I fared forth and after catching one fish, 

 struck another. The guide promptly started the boat but the 

 fish ran with it and leaped toward the boat. The first intima- 

 tion I had of this was when it struck the starboard rail and 

 slapped me across the back precisely as the other had done the 

 previous night. Crossing over the stern within a foot or so of 

 my face, it hit my reel and jammed my right hand against the 

 rod, injuring one of my fingers. It then struck the other rail 

 a resounding blow and vanished into the darkness. All this 

 happened in an instant. An aching shoulder, some slime on my 

 reel, a bruised finger and the blood on my shirt were all that 

 remained to remind me of the visitation. On successive nights 

 a fair-sized tarpon passed within a foot or so of my head and 

 one fish, at least, was still attached to the angler's line. Surely 

 the Patron Saint of all fishermen was kind to me on these occa- 

 sions. 



It is difficult to understand why serious accidents have not 

 befallen anglers from such occurrences for they happen sev- 

 eral times each season. The leaping fish, vibrant with energy, 

 and traveling with great speed across or into a boat could 

 strike a savage blow. The result might be fatal if one leaping 

 high landed on a person. Then, too, the thin steel leader, five 

 or six feet long, would cut like a knife. Yet I never heard of a 

 serious accident at these Passes although at times forty or 

 fifty boats enjoy good fishing in close proximity and frequently 

 at night when the vision may be poor. 



In the daytime an angler can often protect himself against 

 this ever-present danger ; but on a dark night he is quite help- 

 less. Usually one can guard against an injury from his own 

 fish. The imminent risk arises from the leaps of a fish on the 

 hook of a brother angler. A cabin boat is safer than an open 

 low-riding craft. When I sadly departed from the Pass that 



