104: DEVIL FISHING. 



fish is not obliged to come to tlie surface for breath. 

 In one, hour and forty minutes, the whale is obliged 

 to show himself at the top of the water ; not so 

 the devil-fish, which the sportsman is consequently 

 obliged to draw up by sheer force a circum- 

 stance which greatly increases the risk of losing 

 him. 



In conclusion, I would recommend to the sports- 

 man who goes in search of devil-fish, to embark in 

 a four-oared boat, if sport be his object ; for he will 

 then feel the full force of the fish, and enjoy the 

 velocity of the movement. But, if success in cap- 

 turing be uppermost in his thoughts, a six-oared 

 boat is to be preferred. In either case, it should be 

 without a keel, and draw but little water forward ; 

 for a rapid change of front is necessary, as well in 

 the attack as the pursuit. 



I well know the disposition that prevails, to treat 

 such sporting incidents as are unusual, or which we 

 happen not to have witnessed, as exaggerations 

 involving a material departure from truth. "Will- 

 ing as I may be to amuse others with these narra- 

 tives, I cannot consent to do so at the cost of any 

 such imputation on myself, and I therefore deter- 

 mined, in every instance, to name, or, at least to 

 indicate the gentlemen, who were my companions 

 and associates in the sports which I have described. 



