126 



ALONG THE FLORIDA REEF. 



" Hurry up ! " lie cried ; " IVe caught some- 

 thing or it has caught me, I don't know which." 



An octopus running. 



As Tom jumped on to the head he saw the 

 cause of Harry's excitement. Clinging to the 

 coral was a large mottled octopus ; the spear 

 was imbedded in its body, but such was the 

 strength of the animal that he could not move 

 it. The eight sucker-lined arms were fastened 

 upon the rough surface of the coral, while one 

 was wound around the grains. Tom took hold 

 of the pole and jerked as hard as he could, but 

 still the octopus held on like a vise, its ex- 

 pressive eyes almost seeming to flash with 

 rage. Curious waves of color passed rapidly 

 over its body, accompanied by a tremulous 

 motion, while a continuous emission of ink 



