72 DEVIL FISHING. 



were still behind, we had not leisure to observe ; 

 but conjecture this was but the advance guard of 

 the column. 



I made no further notes of my excursions at the 

 time, but will add that prior to my departure for 

 the North, in July of this year, I had. struck seven 

 of these fish, and captured four. 



In 1845, these sports were renewed ; but under 

 aspects that offer but little novelty to the reader. 

 The devil-fish were reported to be in force in Broad 

 River, during the month of June ; but no expedi- 

 tions were planned against them during that 

 month. Early in July, E. B. M., already known 

 to the reader of these " Sports," made a cruise 

 after them, and, on the second day's search, suc- 

 ceeded in capturing one. On Wednesday, the 

 16th, I made my first venture saw five and cap- 

 tured one. On the next day, being joined by Mr. 

 M., we sallied out in our respective boats, and 

 found them in force. I think we could not have 

 seen fewer than fifteen. But the weather was un- 

 propitious, and though we struck five, and proba- 

 bly killed the greater part of them, we could not 

 affirm with certainty that we had captured one. 

 Once, during the day, 1 enjoyed a solitary run, and 

 twice a run in company both boats being en- 



