"BO WEE AD" FISHING. 201 



could draw it, the long, black arms of his adversary 

 wrapped around him, making him helpless as a babe. 

 Then, with a rush that sent every one flying out of hia 

 way, Goliath hurled himself at the bulwarks, which 

 were low, the top of the rail about thirty-three inches 

 from the deck. The two bodies struck the rail with a 

 heavy thud, instantly toppling overboard. That broke 

 the spell that bound everybody, so that there was an 

 instantaneous rush to the side. Only a hardly noticeable 

 ripple remained on the surface of the placid sea. 



But, from my lofty perch, the whole of the ghastly 

 struggle had been visible to the least detail. The two 

 men had struck the water locked in closest embrace, 

 which relaxed not even when far below the surface. 

 When the sea is perfectly smooth, objects are visible from 

 aloft at several feet depth, though apparently diminished 

 in size. The last thing I saw was Captain Slocum's white 

 face, with its starting black eyes looking their last upon 

 the huge, indefinite hull of the ship whose occupants he 

 had ruled so long and rigidly. 



The whole tragedy occupied such a brief moment of 

 time that it was almost impossible to realize that it was 

 actual. Eeason, however, soon regained her position 

 among the officers, who ordered the closest watch to be 

 kept from aloft, in case of the rising of either or both of 

 the men. A couple of boats were swung, ready to drop on 

 the instant. But, as if to crown the tragedy with com- 

 pleteness, a heavy squall, which had risen unnoticed, 

 suddenly burst upon the ship with great fury, the lashing 

 hail and rain utterly obscuring vision even for a few yards. 

 So unexpected was the onset of this squall that, for the 

 only time that voyage, we lost some canvas through not 

 being able to get it in quick enough. The topgallant 



