Giant Fish of Florida 
other boats, which had already stopped fishing, to join in 
the chase, to cut off a corner and hitch on to the circling 
harpoon boat. A seventh boat from the fishing grounds 
has failed to make connection, and, before the day is over, 
others will wish they had done likewise. 
On, and ever on, speeds this extraordinary procession, 
the like of which was surely never seen under other 
circumstances, propelled by an unseen power to an unknown 
destination with a force so great that it makes no account so far 
of the additional strain on its resources. Some have tried 
to back water as a check on the runaway, and have for 
their pains been almost thrown out of the boats and had 
the oars torn from their hands. Onward they tear, the 
great fish keeping carefully in the deep channel-way, and 
avoiding treacherous shallows on its unrestrained course to 
the open sea. When the ray has thus run for five miles, 
it quite suddenly doubles on its course, with the surprising and 
discomforting result that the seven boats are tied in a knot. 
Quickly they will have to extricate themselves, else, as it 
is impossible to go full speed ahead in that formation, over 
they must go. 
The pace gradually slackens during the next three 
miles, and at last all oars are shipped and the guides back 
water. This is not without its effect on the ‘ devil,” who 
promptly heads again for the open sea, and moves on until the 
shore is but a streak on the horizon. Anxious eyes are now 
105 
