CHAPTER VI 



AN OCEAN SWASHBUCKLER 



IN the summer months about the islands of South- 

 ern California the angler may see a long, slender 

 fish dash out of the blue water at an angle of 

 forty-five degrees. Instead of turning gracefully, as 

 does the tuna, it falls heavily, with a loud and reso- 

 nant crash. Perhaps this is repeated several times, 

 in which case the observer obtains a fair though 

 fleeting view of the swordman of the sea, the living 

 rapier, whose carte, tierce and lunge are more than 

 effective among a host of its associates. 



There are several species of these fishes found in 

 Californian waters, from the common Xiphias to the 

 spearfish, trim, warlike and menacing. Ordinarily 

 their movements are slow; swimming along the sur- 

 face, allowing a boat or yacht to approach them; but 

 when roused by the presence of an enemy, or by that 

 of prey, the fish becomes a veritable type of activity. 

 Schools of young mackerel or barracuda are its spe- 

 cial prey, and dashing into them with the speed of a 

 cannon ball it slashes to the right and left, myriads 

 of silvery pieces falling in a shower to tell the story 

 of its prowess. These it does not always stop to 



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