Big Game at Sea 



apart with so much action and expression that a pack 

 of hounds was invariably recalled. 



Among these monsters was one whose length was 

 estimated at fourteen feet. I determined to try and 

 capture this individual, but it was difficult to select 

 one when there were so many. A large steel hook 

 and chain with swivel was baited with a ten-pound 

 grouper and adjusted to a float so that it hung four 

 feet below. Hardly had this drifted clear of the 

 bristling coral when it was the object of attention on 

 the part of several sharks. They did not rush at it 

 after the approved method of the shark in the popu- 

 lar story, but with deliberation, guided by unerring 

 sense of smell. Ahead of them, darting here and 

 there, was an advance guard of several pilot-fishes; 

 while each shark had its bodyguard of remoras 

 black, eel-like creatures, which clung to the dusky 

 sides of their hosts like leeches, their slender bodies 

 writhing and twisting as they were towed along and 

 presenting an attractive appearance. 



Several sharks of comparatively small size ap- 

 proached the bait, which was deftly jerked out of 

 their way whereupon they would turn clumsily, wheel 

 about, and try again. Finally, up out of the deep 

 sea came the great man-eater, looking so colossal that 

 one felt that it would be a matter of chance whether 

 it could be brought to terms. It swallowed the huge 

 bait at one gulp, swinging its head to one side with 

 an impatient movement as the serrated teeth crunched 



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