DEVIL FISHING. 'i I 



boats are in company, they usually attach themselves 

 to the first, and the little fleet is dragged merrily 

 along. 



The prudent sportsman will not draw too vio- 

 lently on him at first, but will suffer him to ex- 

 haust himself by his efforts ; when he is as quietly 

 as possible drawn to the surface, by putting three 

 or four hands to the rope. When seen, a second 

 harpoon is driven into his body. Then commences 

 the serious conflict. He is forced up by the line 

 he flounders and lashes the waves with his im- 

 mense wings, or plunges desperately for the bot- 

 tom, to which he sometimes clings for hours, till, 

 exhausted at last, he yields to the force which draws 

 him to the surface, and is dispatched with many 

 wounds. 



Occasionally, after having three harpoons fast- 

 ened in him, and as many lances plunged into his 

 body, he strikes out indomitably for the ocean, and 

 escapes leaving the sportsmen to make their way 

 as best they may, to the distant land. I have been 

 carried twenty-five miles, in the course of a few 

 hours by two of these fish (having struck a relay 

 when my first sea-horse escaped, and losing both), 

 with three boats in train ! 



The reader must not suppose that there is no risk 



in the pursuit and capture of such formidable game, 

 52 



