TARPON FISHING. 



79 



Perhaps twenty minutes had passed when again something took 

 the bait and moved slowly away with it. I struck hard, and as I 

 did so a huge tarpon hurled himself twice out of the water not 

 twenty yards from the boat, and immediately started off across the 

 bay. Holding the rod high up, I gave it all the strain I dared ; but 

 despite it all, the splendid 

 hsh towed us fully half a mile 

 before showing any signs of 

 fatigue. Slowly and gently 

 I "reeled him in," as the 

 strain relaxed, until we could 

 see him not more than ten 

 feet from us. Gradually I 

 drew him nearer and nearer, 

 whilti Will leaned over the 

 side of the boat, holding in 

 his hand a huge gaff, which, 

 the next moment, was fast- 

 ened in the side of the tarpon. " '-amin.: " a tarpon. 

 A short struggle and a large specimen of the most magnificent game 

 fish in the world lay on the bottom of the boat, glittering brilliantly 

 in the sunlight, one sparkle of silver, blue, and gold. 



As I wished to preserve the skin and the day was warm. Will 

 advised returning home at once ; so we turned the boat and rowed 

 back, having had sport enough for one day. Although larger fish 

 are often caught, my first tarpon proved a good one, measuring six 

 feet one inch in length, and weighing i20>^ pounds. 



