Fighting a Svvordfish at Night 9 



party, as he alone knew the secret of starting 

 Mexican Joe's engine, if it should stop, my in- 

 formation being confined to the lever, stopping, 

 backing, and going ahead. 



The Governor and I were lounging on the 

 beach about five o'clock with no ambition for 

 strenuous recreations, when we sighted the 

 launch coming in at full speed. 



In a few moments Joaquin rounded up, and 

 reported from the seat of war that Mr. Pinchot 

 was fast to a big swordfish about three miles 

 offshore, and would I not go out and stand by? 



The blue haze was deepening up the big Mos- 

 quito rift, or caiion behind us, and the headlands 

 of the island were fast changing to the radiant 

 colors and tints they take on before night ; while 

 far up the island, the afternoon fog was pouring 

 down the rocky slopes, a thing of beauty, glorified 

 beyond power of expression. 



I went aboard, took the helm, and we turned 

 out to sea; but the boy, Joaquin, had lost the 

 direction of the skiff, so we went on a hunt 

 for it. 



I sent him aloft, but still he could not see 

 the skiff. After a while I sighted it on a wave, 

 a mere speck, about three miles to the south- 

 east. I had Joaquin light the lantern so that 

 the anglers could see us if we missed them, and 

 headed directly for them at full speed. At once 

 I became aware that they were moving rapidly, 



