SWOUDFISH 



swordfish fisherman, but many mackerel-schooners 

 and packets are supplied in this manner. 



The swordfish never comes to the surface except 

 in moderate, smooth weather. A vessel cruising in 

 search of them proceeds to the fishing-ground, and 

 cruises hither and thither wherever the abundance 

 of small fish indicates that they ought to be found. 

 Vessels which are met are hailed and asked whether 

 any swordfish have been seen, and if tidings are thus 

 obtained the ship's course is at once laid for the 

 locality where they were last noticed. A man is 

 always stationed at the masthead, where, with the 

 keen eye which practice has given him, he can 

 easily descry the telltale dorsal fins at a distance 

 of two or three miles. When a fish has once been 

 sighted, the watch "sings out," and the vessel is 

 steered directly toward it. The skipper takes his 

 place in the "pulpit" holding the pole in both hands 

 by the small end, and directing the man at the 

 wheel by voice and gesture how to steer. There is 

 no difficulty in approaching the fish with a large 

 vessel, although, as has already been remarked, 

 they will not suffer a small boat to come near them. 

 The vessel plows and swashes through the water, 

 plunging its bowsprit into the waves without ex- 

 citing their fears. Noises frighten them and drive 

 them down. Although there would be no difficulty 

 in bringing the end of a bowsprit directly over the 

 fish, a skilful harpooner never waits for this. When 

 the fish is from six to ten feet in front of the vessel 

 it is struck. The harpoon is never thrown, the pole 

 being too long. The strong arm of the harpooner 

 punches the dart into the back of the fish, right at 



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