56 In the South Seas 



HI 



used to good society, and consequently feeling shy, 

 will give a sweep of his heterocercal tail, and away 

 he'll go — and, very likely, away'll go hook and line 

 with him. When you feel that you have him, be 

 gentle, and remember that the best way of intro- 

 ducing a clod into a drawing-room is by no means 

 suddenly kicking him into it. Make your brother 

 fishers draw in their lines, and let your own run out, 

 just as the shark willeth ; and if all goes out, bend on 

 one of theirs, and yet another if necessary. Then 

 wait till you feel a twiney and twisty sensation which 

 informs you of uneasiness at the other end. When 

 your experience tells you that the time has come, 

 haul, yea, and continue to haul — not in jerks, but 

 ever ready to meet a rush with a liberal allowance 

 of line — a good steady haul till you catch a glimpse 

 of white belly gleaming through the bright water. 

 Haul still, but yet more cunningly, yet more ready 

 for a rush — and. Lord ! look out for hooks which 

 may be bent on the lines. Now you should have a 

 good sight of your fish, — if your plan has succeeded, 

 tail foremost, — he having wound the line some half 

 a dozen times around himself. Now's the time ! 

 You hold on. Your companions, kneeling in the 

 bottom of the boat, look out for a chance of hitting 

 him just above the tail. Bang ! A whack on the 

 side of your head that makes it sing again ! Down 

 he goes ! Up again ! Four strong hands grip him 

 — hold him like grim death. Never mind the boat, 

 let her capsize and be ! Mind yourself ! Tug — 



