DEVIL FISHING. 81 



in tliis case, was as ready to fly from the mariner, 

 as the mariner from him unless it be said (as, in 

 truth, it might be) that, being transfixed by a 

 harpoon, the fish was just then not in condition to 

 indulge his propensity. But, apart from this, his 

 whole structure forbids the supposition of his mak- 

 ing man his prey! The other characteristic of 

 Oppian is just. He is " Eurotatos pantessin met 

 ichthusin " the broadest among fish. 



A singular incident occurred as they were tow- 

 ing their prize against the current towards the shore. 

 A devil-fish appeared above, directly in their course, 

 and bearing down swiftly for them. One of our 

 sportsmen (knowing his modesty, I purposely with- 

 hold his name, " since he might blush to find it 

 fame ;" whom, nevertheless, we will call since he 

 must have a name simply, " John "), uncoiling his 

 legs, which had been stowed away under him in 

 the stern-seat, now started up in excitement, and 

 striding over the heads of his crew, planted himself 

 in the forecastle ; then stretched his long right arm 

 aloft, and hurled his harpoon into the advancing 

 monster with the force of a catapult. To cut loose 

 from the convoy, and dash away on his own hook, 

 was the work of a moment; and the manoeuvre 

 was happily executed, without loss of limb or other 

 material accident or entanglement. This was a 



