TALES OF FISHES 



his quality by his leaps and nineteen gave him the 

 record for us so far. 



We stowed him up in the bow and got under way 

 again, and scarcely had I let my bait far enough 

 astern when a sailfish hit it. In fact, he rushed it. 

 Quick as I was, which was as quick as a flash, I was 

 not quick enough for that fi^h. He felt the hook 

 and he went away. But he had been there long 

 enough to get my bait. 



Just then Sam pointed, I saw a sailfish break 

 water a hundred yards away. 



"Look at him yump!" repeated Sam, every time 

 the fish came out, which, to be exact, was five times. 



"We'll go over and pick him up," I said. 



Sam and I always argue a little about the exact 

 spot where a fish has broken water. I never missed 

 it far, but Sam seldom missed it at all. He could 

 tell by a slight foam always left by the break. We 

 had two baits out, as one or another of my com- 

 panions always holds a rod. The more baits out 

 the better! We had two vicious, smashing strikes 

 at the same time. The fish on the other rod let 

 go just as I hooked mine. 



He came up beautifully, throwing the spray, glint- 

 ing in the sun, an angry fish with sail spread and his 

 fins going. Then on the boat was the same old 

 thrilling bustle and excitement and hilarity I knew 

 so well and which always pleased me so much. 

 This sailfish was a jumper. 



"Look at him yump!" exclaimed Sam, with as 

 much glee as if he had not seen it before. 



The cameras got busy. Then I was attracted by 

 something flashing in the water nearer the boat 



78 



