374 Big Game Fishes 
towed boats down into the breakers opposite the 
jetty, and literally played havoc with the fishing 
fraternity, and as yet was uncaught. 
I had been regaled with descriptions of this 
fish by the veracious wags of Tarpon Inn, who 
pictured him with scales as large as a dinner 
plate, a mouth full of big hooks, and wire which 
hung like a beard, and naturally thought it not 
improbable that my companion was being initi- 
ated by “Yucatan Bill”; hence I watched the 
play with much attention. Never did tarpon 
leap with more force or with greater zest than did 
this fish, Up into the air it went, whirling 
about, now landing on its head, now coming 
down broadside on, making a wave of foam, then 
stopping to rush to one side and encircle the 
boat; always fighting, bearing off with a force 
that kept the stiff rod of the angler bent and the 
reel screaming. For twenty minutes at least I 
watched the play, and then, to my amazement, 
saw the successful angler cut away the game, 
and later heard his shout that it was a “leaping 
shark.” 
I had been keeping out of the way that I might 
not interfere with the play of the game, hence had 
not recognized the outline of the fish. The ha- 
