TALES OF FISHES 



I had a cold sensation, but was too excited to be 

 afraid. Almost I forgot to reel in. 



"He's after us!" I said, grimly. 



Captain Dan started the boat ahead fast. The 

 swordfish got out of line with the boat. But he 

 was close, and he made me think of the charging 

 rhinoceros Dugmore photographed. And then I 

 yelled for the cameras to be snapped. They all 

 clicked — and then, when the swordfish shot close 

 behind us, presenting the most magnificent picture, 

 no one was ready! 



As he passed I thought I saw the line round his 

 body. Then he sounded and began to plug. He 

 towed us six miles out to sea. I could not stop him. 

 I had begun to weaken. My hands were sights. 

 My back hurt. But I stayed with him. He felt 

 like a log and I could not recover line. Captain 

 Dan said it was because I was almost all in, but I 

 did not think that. Presently this swordfish turned 

 inshore and towed us back the six miles. By this 

 time it was late and I was all in. But the sword- 

 fish did not seem nearer the boat. I got mad and 

 found some reserve strength. I simply had to bring 

 him to gaff. I pulled and pumped and wound 

 until I was blind and could scarcely feel. My old 

 blisters opened and bled. My left arm was dead. 

 I seemed to have no more strength than a kitten. 

 I could not lead the fish nor turn him. I bad to 

 drag and drag, inch by inch. It was agonizing. 

 But finally I was encouraged by sight of him, a long, 

 fine, game fellow. A hundred times I got the end 

 of the double line near the leader in sight, only to 

 lose it. 



52 



