DEYIL FISHING. 45 



the temptation was too strong for weak mortality, 

 and we saw them bounding on confidently to the 

 game, of which we were condemned to remain but 

 the passive and distant spectators. We followed 

 them with our eyes, until we beheld our consort in 

 the midst of a shoal, which kept wantoning about 

 them. The harpoon is thrown, the boat darts for- 

 ward, and a black and unsightly object of immense 

 bulk vaults into the air, at the head of the boat 

 then plunges into the depths below, and drags the 

 boat rapidly in its wake. Meantime we are fuming 

 with impatience, and while our runner hurries to 

 us with our harpoon, we scarcely allow ourselves 

 time to adjust it to the staff, before we push off 

 from shore so fearful were we that we should 

 lose our share of the sport. There was no loitering 

 by the way, and we soon come within hail. 

 "What cheer, comrades ? Do you need our help ?" 

 "Oh, by no means we can manage him." "Very 

 well, then, we look out for ourselves ;" and we 

 dashed at a fish that was showing himself at inter- 

 vals astern of the other boat. Again my foot is on 

 the forecastle again the harpoon is poised and, 

 before five minutes have elapsed, the barb is 

 planted in him, and we are drawn over the placid 

 water in nearly the same course with our consort. 



To the mere lover of the picturesque, the scene 

 3-2 



