Giant Fish of Florida 



Look out ! Here is a long, dark object coming straight at 

 you. It is a shark. Let him have it right in the neck. That 

 is better. The harpoon has struck this time. Habet ! Only 

 the weapon has entered near the tail, not within four feet of 

 the spot you thought to reach. You have to keep the rope 

 close to the bow, or the brute may capsize you. But the 

 harpoon has come away, and you coil the rope for the next 

 comer. There is a sting ray right under your boat. No 

 calculation necessary this time. You strike it fair in the 

 centre. Be careful how you handle it, for should it get its spike 

 into you, you will remember the wrenching out of the barbs. 



All ready again ! See that dark patch a hundred yards 

 ahead ! It is a whip ray, weighing perhaps 400 Ib. How 

 gracefully it flies beneath the water ! You take careful note of 

 its bearings, and reckon that it lies about seven feet deep and 

 perhaps seventeen feet ahead. This means that the centre of 

 the fish is some nine feet nearer to you than appears to be the 

 case. Good ! You threw too far again, but the ray is struck 

 near the head, and you will get some sport anyhow. 



The infuriated fish tows the boat in all directions. It is 

 too heavy to haul in, and must be got ashore. This is not very 

 difficult, for you let it run free when heading in that direction, 

 and check it when making a move for deeper water. At last 

 it is beached. There is no occasion to cut out the harpoon, 

 for all you need do is to thrust in your finger and press up the 

 barb on either side, and it comes away at once. 



93 



