42 DEVIL FISHING. 



the water, stood quivering there for a moment, and then 

 vanished with the velocity of light. 



" ' Habet V shouted a sort of linguist (who was always 

 boring us with his scrap Latin, to make amends, it was 

 supposed, for his bad English), as he grasped the line and 

 huzzaed, until the shore resounded with the music of his 

 lungs. And it was but too true. The devil-fish, after his 

 other frolics, had vaulted entirely on his back, and came 

 floating on the tide, stomach upward ; his white form 

 reflected along the surface for several yards. A mark so 

 palpable could hardly escape the stroke of our weapon : 

 it entered his abdomen about the middle, and cut its way 

 right down nearly .three feet into his vitals. The line was 

 clear for him to the extent of thirty fathoms; but, after 

 running fifteen or twenty, he went plump to the bottom, 

 defying every effort at removal. At length he gave way, 

 and after much tugging rose logishly to the top but day- 

 light inspired him with new strength, and he bounded off 

 again at the height of his speed. Our man of particles 

 was now in a sore dilemma. This ' learned Theban ' had 

 been rude enough to throw the line so carelessly about his 

 feet, that there was every prospect of his being speedily 

 caught in its flying tangles, and ducked soundly for his 

 pains. What was he to do ? A leap or two heavenward 

 showed that would not answer; so, clearing the forecastle 

 at a bound, he lit in the body of the boat, with no other 

 harm done than some commotion among the rigging, a 

 cry of wonderment from the oarsmen, and sundry ejacula* 



