68 DEVIL FISHING. 



profit. Thsre is danger enough in the pastime to 

 give it the highest relish (it is, in fact, whale-fish- 

 ing in miniature) ; nor is it objectionable on the 

 score of cruelty : it is not killing in mere wanton- 

 ness, for the liver yields an oil useful for many 

 agricultural purposes, and the body cut into por- 

 tions convenient for transportation, and carted out 

 upon the fields, proves an excellent fertilizer of the 

 soil. 



Sunday, 23d June. Weather moderate and 

 winds easterly. 



Monday, 24tfA June. Wind very fresh at north- 

 east. Mr. W. Cuthbert came on board, and we 

 sailed for Hilton Head, and reached the avenue an 

 hour before high water. Saw a devil-fish at the 

 landing and gave chase, but to no purpose he was 

 apparently feeding, and would show his wings only 

 at long intervals, and for a few seconds at a time ; 

 so that before the boat could reach the spot he was 

 gone. He sometimes came very close to the beach 

 (I should say in five feet water), but would sheer 

 off at the approach of the boat. After a fruit- 

 less pursuit of an hour, we gave him up, and 

 cruised up to the mouth of Skull Creek. Saw 

 nothing returned to the landing, and visited the 

 cotton-field. It was now four o'clock, P.M., and 

 full quarter ebb. In a last hope to see them, loi- 



