TURTLE AND SUCKERS 241 



the sucker is fastened to a light line when the game is 

 revealed. 



Some assert that the sucker swims on its back when 

 not adhering to its host, but my observation denounces 

 that theory. Becalmed among the islands, where the water 

 is transparently clear, I have seen the sucker swim 

 cautiously to the boat, apparently reconnoitring. Shy 

 and easily startled, a wave of the hand over the gunwale is 

 sufficient to scare it away ; but it comes again, keeping pace 

 as the boat drifts, and liking to remain in its shadow. Then 

 it is easily seen that it swims with the sucker uppermost. 



Occasionally when the blacks harpoon a turtle or a 

 dugong a sucker is secured. They declare that it stays 

 in one locality until a suitable host happens along, and 

 then forms a life-long attachment. 



If one is seen among the rocks the blacks are at pains 

 to catch it, and as it is shark-like in its nervousness, the 

 sport demands considerable skill and patience. " Feed 'em 

 plenty " is the ruling principle. Delectable morsels of fresh 

 fish are tendered abundantly until the sucker abandons 

 his usual caution, and then when he is feeding freely a 

 hook temptingly baited is let down casually among the 

 other dainties, and if the fish has been liberally and yet 

 not over fed, it will probably accept the line, and after 

 protesting and holding back to the best of its ability, find 

 itself flapping in the bark canoe. Should it get away — 

 " Well ! Plenty more alonga salt water. Catch 'em 

 to-morrow." When determined to secure a sucker whose 

 haunt they have discovered, the blacks will feed it at 

 intervals for a day or two to overcome its nervous appre- 

 hension. In other localities along the coast the fish is 

 plentiful and by no means shy, taking bait ravenously. 



Having secured the sucker, the blacks farm it in their 

 haphazard fashion. They fasten a line above the forked 

 tail so securely that it cannot slip, nor be likely to readily 

 cut through the skin, and tether it in shallow water, when 

 it usually attaches itself to the bottom of the canoe. When, 

 as the result of frequent use and heavy strain, the tail of 

 Q 



