A FORLORN QUEST, ETC. 249 



length, and almost as strong as the anchor rope, 

 are sometimes broken by the big tunny, and when 

 the difference is allowed for between such a line, 

 with coils of slack to meet a sudden strain, and the 

 fine line on a tarpon ree], with no such provision 

 possible, it is not hard to understand our disturbed 

 frame of mind, half longing for the excitement 

 of a rush, yet certain that the tackle would not 

 stand the test. 



We need not have worried. Several of the 

 men put out lines, and an unfortunate horse- 

 mackerel was blinded and thrown overboard, 

 that it might swim aimlessly around the boat 

 and attract the tunny. This piece of cruelty 

 was unfruitful, and, mercifully perhaps, the tunny 

 stayed away. After we had been buffetted about 

 for a couple of hours and seen another fish hauled 

 into the neighbouring boat, we gave it best. I 

 am not as a rule an impatient fisherman, nor am 

 I particularly nervous of either sickness or ship- 

 wreck, but it must be admitted that I never heard 

 the " Home, James ! " with more fervent thanks- 

 giving than on that occasion. Even before the 

 anchor was down, we had recognised the futility 

 of fishing under such " Heads you win ; tails I 

 lose " conditions. Still, having foil owed the shoals 

 for forty miles, only to reach them in the full blast 

 of the north-east trades, it seemed hardly playing 

 the game not to make that one attempt. This 



