374 Big Game Fishes 



towed boats down into the breakers opposite the 

 jetty, and literally played havoc with the fishing 

 fraternity, and as yet was uncaught. 



I had been regaled with descriptions of this 

 fish by the veracious wags of Tarpon Inn, who 

 pictured him with scales as large as a dinner 

 plate, a mouth full of big hooks, and wire which 

 hung like a beard, and naturally thought it not 

 improbable that my companion was being initi- 

 ated by "Yucatan Bill"; hence I watched the 

 play with much attention. Never did tarpon 

 leap with more force or with greater zest than did 

 this fish. Up into the air it went, whirling 

 about, now landing on its head, now coming 

 down broadside on, making a wave of foam, then 

 stopping to rush to one side and encircle the 

 boat ; always fighting, bearing off with a force 

 that kept the stiff rod of the angler bent and the 

 reel screaming. For twenty minutes at least I 

 watched the play, and then, to my amazement, 

 saw the successful angler cut away the game, 

 and later heard his shout that it was a " leaping 

 shark." 



I had been keeping out of the way that I might 

 not interfere with the play of the game, hence had 

 not recognized the outline of the fish. The ha- 



