"OLD DEVIL-FISH NO CHILE" 297 



were not disinterested lookers-on, so that 

 when he had dragged me a mile or more away 

 he (the mate) ordered the four darkies to man 

 the " jolly-boat " with four oars, and go to 

 my assistance. Seeing this movement, my 

 courage went up fifty per cent., the fear being 

 for getting back out of the gulf. After he 

 had jumped out three times, it was noticeable 

 that the spring was leaving him, followed soon 

 by a slackening of the line, as well as of the 

 pace. Then hope and courage rose another 

 twenty per cent., and I saw it was necessary 

 to gather in the line as it slackened, so that 

 he would not be so heavy to get up to the 

 boat when he caved in, as every moment gave 

 evidence he soon would do. Now the boat 

 had ceased to move, and, deciding he was dead, 

 the line was shifted aft and hauled in over the 

 quarter, until the weight of his body came 

 upon me. By this time the boat sent to my 

 assistance was near, when the old darkey 

 hailed me with 



" Well, Massa Cap'n, you had a gran 1 time. 

 Old devil-fish no chile. Hay ! you got him, 

 hay?" 



" I've got something the devil or his 



