TURTLES AND TURTLE-CATCHING 



cord can be tied at need, and then the turtle-catcher is 

 ready for action. 



When a hunt is about to take place the men carry a 

 few of the fish on board the boat in their pots, and row 

 off in pursuit of the first turtle they see. If the turtle 

 should happen to be asleep, as often happens in deep 

 water, a noose is slipped over his neck and he is killed by 

 a few blows on the head. If he be awake and swimming 

 with his back to the boat he will still be easy game, for 

 if he be not actually deaf as most fishermen assert, he is 

 at best very dull and slow-witted, and will often allow 

 the men to come within hitting distance before he 

 attempts to escape. 



He may happen, however, to turn suddenly, catch sight 

 of the boat and swim calmly off in another direction. 

 Now is the remora's chance, and everything depends on 

 how it will behave itself. As soon as the boat is within 

 a few fathoms one of the men throws a tethered fish ; all 

 things being favourable it lights on some part of the 

 turtle's anatomy, clings with forty-leech power, and is only 

 to be removed with a slip of wood or metal when the turtle 

 has been comfortably hauled in and made fast alongside. 



But often things do not go so well ; the man misses his 

 aim, perhaps, or the turtle happens to dive just as the 

 fish is thrown. Then the remora is not so teachable as 

 the cormorant, and it may absolutely refuse to stick at 

 all; and the exasperated fishermen may see the turtle 

 swim blissfully off while the fish goes the opposite way. 

 Perhaps it will be drawn up clinging tightly to a bit of 

 sodden drift-wood ; or it may choose to dive under the 



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