242 Big Game Fishes 



at the weighing, and shall be attested by wit- 

 nesses. I made the draught of the original rules 

 of the angling tournament of the Tuna Club, 

 and suggested that the club demand that con- 

 testants use a fairly light rod, theoretically not 

 over twenty-six ounces in weight, a line not 

 larger than a twenty-four cuttyhunk; that the 

 fish must be brought to gaff unaided, any break- 

 age or assistance from boatman debarring the 

 angler. This assures a contest between one man 

 and the fish, the chances on the side of the latter. 

 It is astonishing how a fish will grow in the 

 hands of a determined and enthusiastic boatman. 

 I recall one who always claimed that the scales 

 were "shy four pounds." He then added two 

 pounds for loss of blood while playing, two more 

 for certain " shrinkages and evaporations " before 

 it could be weighed ; then this true and cheerful 

 soul would throw in an extra pound for luck, and 

 was prepared to take affidavit that the weight 

 was correct. My catches were the envy of the 



reef when Billy had the weighing. And then 



to hear him announcing the weight to others ! 

 Then it was that he soared to the very empyrean 

 of the imagination. The arguments that he had 

 to sustain his premise, the impressive manner 



