io6 Sporting Sketches 



shuah." At certain points we used to kill from 

 a half dozen to twenty sheepshead in a day, the fish 

 freely taking worms and crayfish, being so eager for 

 the latter that not seldom a bait intended for a 

 choice bass got into the wrong pew. 



The second of our odd fish was the garpike, as 

 a rule very abundant. This also was declared 

 " pizen," and none would taste of it. To the boys, 

 the gars were "swordfish," and only good for battle. 

 A big gar, with his round, tapering body, stiletto- 

 like jaws, sharp teeth, and wicked-looking eyes, was 

 an unpromising customer, specially designed for 

 biting. During warm weather the gars floated at 

 the surface for hours, and their trim lines suggested 

 speed, power, and something of relationship to ma- 

 rine torpedoes. The bony structure of their long, 

 lean jaws usually baffled efforts at hooking them, 

 and, if hooked, their teeth were apt to cut anything 

 but gimp. I have, however, taken them with min- 

 nows ; but, contrary to appearances, they afford but 

 poor play. A specimen a yard long would be con- 

 sidered a large one in our water. While the adult 

 gar is decidedly ugly, the young are very beautiful. 

 The very small ones look like golden bodkins, while 

 one the size of a lead pencil, with his bronzy tint- 

 ing, snow-white belly, and gleaming gold eye, is 

 very attractive. These smaller fish may be found 

 floating among the bent water grasses, and so closely 

 do they match their surroundings, that only sharp 

 eyes can detect them before they dart for shelter. 

 One flick of the tail, always slightly curved for in- 

 stant action, causes the smooth* slim body to vanish. 

 We used to take these fellows by stealthy work 



