40 DEVIL FISHING. 



bank would soon be too deep to reach him if he came 

 fishing upon it. Impatience was visible in every coun- 

 tenance. 



"'The day is fine enough/ said P. ; 'they ought to 

 be hereabouts, for the boys saw them only yester- 

 day.' 



" ' I have my doubts/ said another, ' as to everything 

 the rogues tell us, especially if a devil-fish is in the mat- 

 ter. You know their superstition.' 



"'Ah, gentlemen/ exclaimed a third, rising from hisr 

 seat, and gaping with ennui, 'this comes of taking 

 things too late ; you should have followed my advice, 

 and have come out earlier. As it is, I see we shall have 

 no sport.' 



" ' Look on your right!' shouted a voice from the other 

 boat. 



" The whole party were, in an instant, on their feet. 

 There they were to be sure. One, two, three, only a few 

 hundred yards from us, rioting and tumbling fantastically 

 over each other's wakes. 



" ' Where is the harpoon V ' the rifle P ' the rifle !' 

 exclaimed several voices at once. 



" ' Gentlemen, do be quiet/ said P., as he leaped on 

 the forecastle, catching up at the same time the harpoon, 

 which lay on a coil of rope ready for use. ' I have seen 

 some of this service before : pray, go aft, and let me have 

 a clear swing. By the way, Tom, my son, hold up that 

 umbrella there is no merit in spoiling your face unneces- 



