262 SPORT IN NORTH AMERICA. 



as possible. Mr. Stiltman and Pluto took counsel 

 together, and tried every means of ascertaining the 

 true direction. After hesitating for a moment, Mr. 

 Stiltman put the boat about, and the two blacks 

 began rowing their best. We seemed now to be all 

 right when, just as we were indulging in the plea- 

 santest dreams of security, a monster of tremendous 

 size and strength, puffing and blowing with enor- 

 mous power and displacing a large bulk of water, 

 came rushing upon us. Closer and closer it came 

 until Stiltman cried out, "Lost! lost! It's a steamer 

 upon us, and they're running us right down !" I 

 shut my eyes, expecting instant dissolution, but as 

 the huge body glided past our prow and swamped 

 us, the captain of the steamer being a humane man, 

 put the vessel about and we were soon on board 

 enjoying a tumbler of hot grog and a dry change of 

 clothes. This was all very well, but the reader may 

 imagine our dismay at learning that the steamer 

 was bound for the Havana. 



'* Surely,^' quoth Mr. Stiltman, "you stop on your 

 way?" 



" At Key-West," was the reply. 



" That will do ; I'll get ashore there. And pray, 

 what may be the name of your steamer, cap'en ? " 



" The Devil Fish," answered Captain Danielson. 



" The devil it is," quoth Stiltman. " Well, I did 

 think the devil fishes of Hilton Head Vere my 

 greatest enemies, but now one has saved my life." 



