THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 317 
were collected close to the keel of the vessel, in one 
dense mass, of extraordinary depth and breadth, 
and swam with an appearance of trepidation and 
watchfulness. The cause of this unusual commo- 
tion was visible in a Sword-fish lurking astern, 
awaiting a favourable opportunity to rush upon 
his prey when they should be unconscious of danger, 
or away from the protection of the ship. The 
assembled Albacore continued, in the mean time, to 
pass under the keel of the vessel, from one side to 
the other, often turning simultaneously on their side 
to look for the enemy: their abdomens glittering 
in the sun as a wide expanse of dazzling silver. It 
was evident that the Sword-fish desired but a clear 
field for his exertions; and in the course of the 
day we observed him make several dashes amongst 
the shoal, with a velocity which produced a loud 
rushing sound in the sea; his body, which, when 
tranquil, was of a dull brown colour, assuming at 
these times an azure hue.” * 
Mr. Bennett conjectures with much probability, 
that it is as a protection against the attacks of the 
Sword-fish, that Albacore and other fishes so often 
attach themselves to a ship,.or the body of a whale; 
the vicinity of so large a body being sufficient to 
deter the former from making his impetuous thrusts 
among the shoal, lest his bony weapon being driven 
into the solid substance by the violence of his 
assault, he might not be able to retract it. Instances 
are not rare, however, in which the Sword-fish, 
perhaps forgetting his usual caution, (for he is re- 
* Whaling Voyage, vol. i. p. 270. 
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