A 600-LB. FISH 89 



the boat was moving more slowly, and we 

 therefore became very hopeful. As we looked 

 in shore, the men had their hats off, and were 

 gesticulating fiercely, giving us to understand 

 we ought to cut him free, which we would 

 probably have done had we not noticed his 

 faltering. The speed of the boat kept slacken- 

 ing very fast, so much so that in a short time 

 we were able to gather in the line to within 

 a few fathoms of him. He had towed us to 

 within 150 yards of the fishermen, when 

 suddenly he stopped short. We hauled up 

 the line, and the fish with it. What a beauty ! 

 Ten feet long, weighing 600 Ibs. We soon 

 had a rope through his gills, and towed him 

 to the shore in through the boats. The men 

 and boys came to see him after their nets 

 were picked, and helped us haul him on the 

 beach, and finished by giving three cheers, 

 which made us feel like heroes. Our cranky 

 friends of the collision had long ere this got 

 over their pet, and all enjoyed a hearty laugh 

 over the exciting time. " Hang it ! " said an 

 old chap//' we were getting worked up when 

 you were coming right for us again, as we 

 would have been in a bad plight, with our 



