132 FISH—CULTURAL ASSOCIATION. 
they will not allow a small boat to come near them. The vessel 
plows and swashes through the water, plunging the bowsprit 
through the waves, without exciting their fears. Noises frighten 
them and drive them down. Although there would be no diff- 
culty in bringing the end of the bowsprit directly over the fish, 
a skillful harpooner never waits for this. When the fish is from 
six to ten feet in front of the vessel it is struck. The harpoon is 
never thrown, the pole being too long. The strong arm of the 
harpooner punches the dart into the back of the fish, right at the 
side of the high dorsal fin, and the pole is withdrawn and fas- 
tened again to its place. When the dart has been fastened to 
the fish, the line is allowed to run out as far as the fish will carry 
it, and is then passed in a small boat which is towed at the stern. 
Two men jump into this, and pulling in upon the line until the 
fish is brought in alongside ; it is then killed with a whale lance 
or a whale spade, which is stuck into the gills. 
The fish having been killed, it is lifted upon the deck by a pur- 
chase tackle of two double blocks rigged in the shrouds. 
The fishermen have a theory to the effect that the swordfish can 
see nothing directly in front of him on account of the peculiar 
location of the eyes, and there are instances of their having been 
approached and killed by men in a skillfully managed dory. 
THE PERILS AND THE ROMANCE OF SWORDFISHING. 
The pursuit of the swordfish is much more exciting than ordi-_ 
nary fishing, for it resembles the hunting of large animals upon 
the land, and partakes more of the nature of the chase. There is 
_ no slow and careful baiting and patient waiting, and no disap- 
pointment caused by the accidental capture of worthless “ bait- 
stealers.” The game is seen and followed and outwitted by 
wary. tactics, and killed by strength of arm and skill. The 
swordfish isa powerful antagonist sometimes, and sends his pur- 
suers’ vessel into harbor leaking, and almost sinking, from in- 
juries which he has inflicted. I have known a vessel to be struck 
by wounded swordfish as many as twenty times in one season. 
There is even the spice of personal danger to give savor to the 
chase, for the men are occasionally injured by the infuriated fish. 
One of Captain Ashby’s crew was severely wounded bya sword- 
