8(5 DEVIL FISHING. 



awhile, threw new somersets, and again disappear- 

 ed for a new seaward movement. The fish which 

 were behind, came along sporting, until they had 

 reached the spot where the first had thrown their 

 somersets. They, too, then threw their somer- 

 sets, and disappeared like the first. Usually they 

 leaped twice leaping from their backs, and falling 

 likewise on their backs ; leaping, I should say, at 

 least ten feet above the water. 



After some delay (for early in the season they do 

 not stand the point), I struck a fish, which resisted 

 very moderately for a good half hour, when it 

 made some furious runs, giving me to think that 

 the sharks had gotten the scent of his blood, an'd 

 were in fierce pursuit. The winds had been hard 

 from the south for several days, and the weather 

 was now so squally and threatening, that I became 

 anxious to complete the capture of the fish before 

 night ; so I planted a second harpoon, and then, as 

 occasion offered, gave him the spear. When drawn 

 up alongside, he began to make short, circular runs, 

 and twisted the two ropes together, so that they 

 could not be separated. The thunder muttered, 

 and the dark cloud still approached us from the 

 southwest, spreading its wings beyond us on every 

 side, so as to leave no chance of escape ; so we 

 had to force on the lines, and draw the fish 



