TURTLES AND TURTLE-CATCHING 



years old. Putting out to sea in stout-built sailing 

 canoes, the crews seek a favourable spot for their work 

 (and such a spot is not easily decided upon, for some of 

 the best turtles go sometimes hundreds of miles out to 

 sea), and when this is found, slow down and watch for the 

 first prize that appears. 



On board each boat, in addition to the crew, are several 

 expert swimmers or divers. One at a time these stand up 

 in the bow, and at sight of a turtle one of them springs 

 overboard after it, and then the sport begins. Some- 

 times a dozen men from the same boat will be occupied 

 with a dozen turtles. On reaching one of the reptiles 

 the diver swings himself on to its back and sits with his 

 legs tucked under him, thus throwing out as little shark- 

 bait as possible, and gripping with both hands the edge 

 of the shell above the neck. The frightened turtle 

 plunges forward or dives, the fisherman still acting the 

 part of Old Man of the Sea, and, whenever it is possible, 

 trying to guide the clumsy movements towards the boat. 

 Everybody, unless prevented by total immersion, is shout- 

 ing at the top of his voice in the hope that the noise may 

 drive off any sharks that may be in the vicinity, and some 

 of the crew stand by with guns to put an end to any such 

 interloper. 



At last the turtle is exhausted, the boat steers towards 

 the diver, who, as soon as a rope is thrown to him, loops 

 it round the neck of his capture, and when he has seen it 

 towed safely alongside, dashes off towards the next turtle 

 that shows itself. 



Sometimes one of these fellows, in spite of all precau- 



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