386 SAVAGE SUDAN 



Already in Unexplored Spain (p. 300) we have referred 

 to this subject. For within the Straits of Gibraltar, 

 and on the adjacent coasts, tunny of 100 to 150 Ib. and 

 upwards are captured by Spanish fishermen. Hitherto, 

 however, no British angler has given attention to 

 opportunities offering" so much nearer home. 



While disclaiming expert knowledge, I may still relate 



what I saw of this sport and of the methods employed. 



Armed with a 7i-foot rod, as stiff as a poker, and a 



reel holding 200 yards of line, the angler rows out to a 



favourable spot usually near a harbour entrance, and 



early morn or late afternoon for choice. But, after all, 



the most essential element is the local fisherman in 



attendance. This swarthy functionary makes fast his 



"dug-out" (provided with store of live sardines kept in 



floating basses alongside) to your anchored boat. By 



handfuls this silent savage hurls sardines broadcast over 



the sea. So soon as a submarine attack thereon 



develops, he deftly chucks more and more handfuls, and 



instantly on these being seized a baited hook follows. 



Wondrous smart, however, is barracouta, or albacore, or 



bonito to detect the difference. Lure after lure (with a 



hook in it) is disdained, and hopes sink low. Then a 



lucky cast is rewarded by a fearsome lunge and a firm 



hold. Up to this point the rod has been lying neglected 



on the thwarts, the bight of the line being held midway 



in the professional hand. Now the angler takes charge ; 



the slack is reeled-in and a terrific struggle ensues. The 



initial sensation is as of being attached to a runaway 



rhino by a pack-thread for a stout barracouta goes 



"fair mad" on realising the loss of liberty, plunging and 



ploughing the seas, or diving to the depths in turn. 



Despite strength or skill, the rod-point is dragged 



from the perpendicular time and again its tip touches 



the sea. Ten minutes of this hurly-burly and it becomes 



a question of sheer endurance will the angler or the 



captive first give in from sheer exhaustion ? The fight 



