88 Recreations of a Sportsman 



side it steadily towed the launch inshore, despite 

 our efforts. It was evident there was a doubt 

 as to who was really caught ; the boatman seemed 

 to think it was not the moon fish. In fact, the 

 tables were turned, and we could not move the 

 fish an inch in the opposite direction from which 

 it wished to go. Again it fouled the propeller, and 

 writhed and lifted us as we drifted nearer the 

 surf a bad prospect for the launch. We at- 

 tempted to haul the big fish around so that it 

 would tow us seaward, but it was of no avail. 

 The next thing was to cast off entirely, let the 

 fish swim out, then take the chance of catching 

 it again in deep water. 



While we were deliberating a large launch 

 hove in sight, and upon seeing the struggles of 

 the fish and our predicament came to our res- 

 cue. We passed them a line, then both launches 

 put on full speed and started. The fish re- 

 doubled its efforts to escape, whirling about, 

 striking the launch ponderous blows, and made 

 a desperate attempt to go down. To the excited 

 lookers-on, it seemed as though it would be suc- 

 cessful, but after much manoeuvring and excite- 

 ment the fish was gotten astern, the boats got 

 under way and slowly started. Every few mo- 

 ments it would try to turn and surged violently 

 from side to side, threatening to rake the deck 

 and carry away our smoke-stack. Hence it was 

 necessary for me to hold the hawser and see 



