Big Game at Sea 



the slightest increase of which forced it over the 

 white sand like the shadow of a dark cloud. 



We were running parallel to the beach, and some 

 negroes stopped and waved their hats as we shot by. 

 Suddenly, without the slightest warning, the fish 

 turned. I saw the pointed fin leap into the air until 

 it stood upright, as the fish seemed to breast the 

 water in the turn. I stepped back and shouted a 

 warning to Chief. But it was too late. The bow of 

 the boat was jerked, shivering and trembling, almost 

 completely around, throwing Paublo over the rail 

 into the lagoon, and was away almost before he 

 recovered his feet and stood in water nearly up to 

 his armpits looking at the retreating boat, doubtless 

 with amazement seasoned with relief, as he could 

 easily wade to Long Key. 



The fish headed for the outer reef, on which a 

 heavy sea was breaking; drawing little or no water 

 it could doubtless plunge over while the boat would 

 either ground, or if it succeeded in making the reef, 

 would doubtless be swamped in the surf. We took 

 the line as Paublo dropped it, and surged upon it with 

 all our strength, and were encouraged by finding that 

 the fish was weakening. But we were rapidly ap- 

 proaching the reef; another haul and we were nearly 

 on top of our quarry, whose long tail was under 

 the boat, the mighty wings pulsating just ahead. A 

 patch of coral now loomed up, and this fortunate 

 obstacle turned the fish and in the whirl the fin 



14 



