Giant Fish of Florida 



other boats, which had already stopped fishing, to join in 

 the chase, to cut off a corner and hitch on to the circling 

 harpoon boat. A seventh boat from the fishing grounds 

 has failed to make connection, and, before the day is over, 

 others will wish they had done likewise. 



On, and ever on, speeds this extraordinary procession, 

 the like of which was surely never seen under other 

 circumstances, propelled by an unseen power to an unknown 

 destination with a force so great that it makes no account so far 

 of the additional strain on its resources. Some have tried 

 to back water as a check on the runaway, and have for 

 their pains been almost thrown out of the boats and had 

 the oars torn from, their hands. Onward they tear, the 

 great fish keeping carefully in the deep channel-way, and 

 avoiding treacherous shallows on its unrestrained course to 

 the open sea. When the ray has thus run for five miles, 

 it quite suddenly doubles on its course, with the surprising and 

 discomforting result that the seven boats are tied in a knot. 

 Quickly they will have to extricate themselves, else, as it 

 is impossible to go full speed ahead in that formation, over 

 they must go. 



The pace gradually slackens during the next three 

 miles, and at last all oars are shipped and the guides back 

 water. This is not without its effect on the "devil," who 

 promptly heads again for the open sea, and moves on until the 

 shore is but a streak on the horizon. Anxious eyes are now 



