DEVIL FISHING. 73 



gaged at the same time, and the fish running in the 

 same parallel. Two hours before nightfall, each 

 boat then having a fish in tow, we were overtaken 

 by a perfect tempest. A black and fearful looking 

 thunder-cloud lay brooding over the bay, and 

 seemed to descend to the very waters, and be com- 

 mingled with them. It was extreme rashness, in 

 our undecked boats, to brave the anger of the 

 storm ; and, by a simultaneous movement, we re- 

 solved to force up our fish, so as either to lose or 

 capture them before it should burst upon us. The 

 harpoon of my consort tore out when the fish was 

 drawn to the surface, and almost " in articulo 

 mortis." In my own case, the fish, struck through 

 the branchial processes, and evidently at his last 

 gasp, snapt asunder the harpoon and escaped, 

 leaving the barb in his body. Thus released from 

 our fish (for in all my service, I have never severed 

 a rope or voluntarily disengaged myself from a 

 devil-fish), we lifted a hand's breadth of canvas to 

 the gust which was now upon us, and made our 

 escape to the shore. We had capital and very ex- 

 citing sport ; but considered our victory somewhat 

 incomplete, because we had not carried off the 

 bodies of the slain. 



The next day, strengthened by an accession of 

 new adventurers, we tried our luck again ; but 



