334 AMERICAN GAME FISHES. 



The tide was now in full flow, and with it came a school 

 of Cavalli, snapping and leaping after a school of Menhaden. 

 P. hooked one of about three pounds, and hauled it in 

 quickly, after the manner of hand-line fishermen. 



"That's the first Cavalli I have caught this year, judge; 

 there's plenty more; you've got one." 



And so I had; it sprang up into the air, ran out twenty 

 yards of line, circled round the boat, and cut up many 

 capers for a few minutes, but when boated was dead. We 

 got three more of about the same size, and the major lost 

 one, before the school went by. We could see them for a 

 long distance, chasing the Menhaden, and driving them 

 ashore, where they were picked up by a flock of gulls, ospreys 

 and pelicans. Next came along a school of Lady-fish, also 

 hunting the poor Menhaden and Mullets. The first that 

 took my fly came out of the water four feet, and three times 

 at that; then darted under the boat, and up in the air again, 

 shaking out the hook. Both P. and the major were engaged 

 in like manner with two silvery harlequins, which seemed to 

 stay in the air half the time. As long as the school of fish 

 remained near us, we had fine sport and got five or six of 

 them, averaging two pounds in weight ; but they soon went 

 off up the creek in pursuit of their prey. , 



P. : "What do you think of Lady-fish, major?" 



"I should call them flying-fish, myself." 



Judge: "It is the greatest jumper I ever saw, and I have 

 caught some pretty active fish in my time; how is it for eat- 

 ing, Pacetti?" 



"Not good for much- mostly bones." 



Here he found himself fast to a big Sting-ray, from which 

 he cut his line loose; and next the major struck a large Bass, 

 which proved too much for him, and broke away after a few 

 minutes. 



"I saw him, judge," said he; "he was a big one." 



P. : "The one that gets away is always the big one.' 



