THE ROYAL PURPLE GAME OF THE SEA 



ously. Still, I knew I had him beaten, and I cal- 

 culated that in another hour, perhaps, I could lead 

 him alongside. 



Then, like thunder out of a clear sky, something 

 went wrong with the great B-Ocean reel. It worked 

 hard. When a big swell carried the swordfish up, 

 pulling out line, the reel rasped. 



"It's freezing on' you!" shouted Captain Dan, 

 with dark glance. 



A new reel sometimes clogs and stops from fric- 

 tion and heat. I had had von Hofe and other reels 

 freeze. But in this instance, it seemed that for the 

 reel to freeze would be simply heartbreaking. Well 

 — it froze, tight as a shut vise ! I sat there, clutching 

 the vibrating rod, and I watched the swordfish as 

 the swells lifted him. I expected the line to break, 

 but, instead, the hook tore out. 



Next day we sighted four swordfish and tried in 

 vain to coax one to bite. 



Next day we sighted ten swordfish, which is a 

 record for one day. They were indifferent. 



The next three. The next one, with like result. 

 The next day no fish were sighted, and that fact 

 encouraged Captain Dan. 



The next day, late in the afternoon, I had a strike 

 and hooked a swordfish. He leaped twice and threw 

 the hook. 



The next day I got eleven jumps out of another 

 before he gracefully flung the hook at the boat. 



The next day, a big swordfish, with a ragged 



purple fin, took my bait right astern of the boat 



and sounded deep. I hooked him. Time and time 



again I struck with all my might. The fish did not 



3 33 



