TALES OF FISHES 



the side of the high dorsal fin, and the pole is with- 

 drawn and fastened again to its place. When the 

 dart has been fastened to the fish the line is allowed 

 to run out as far as the fish wiU carry it, and is then 

 passed in a small boat, which is towing at the stern. 

 Two men jump into this, and pull in upon the line 

 until the fish is brought in alongside; it is then 

 killed with a whale-lance or a whale-spade, which is 

 stuck into the gills. 



The fish having been killed, it is lifted upon the 

 deck by a purchase tackle of two double blocks 

 rigged in the shrouds. 



The pursuit of the swordfish is much more excit- 

 ing than ordinary fishing, for it resembles the hunt- 

 ing of large animals upon the land and partakes 

 more of the nature of the chase. There is no slow 

 and careful baiting and patient waiting, and no dis- 

 appointment caused by the accidental capture of 

 worthless "bait-stealers." The game is seen and fol- 

 lowed, and outwitted by wary tactics, and killed by 

 strength of arm and skill. The swordfish is a power- 

 ful antagonist sometimes, and sends his pursuers' 

 vessel into harbor leaking, and almost sinking, 

 from injuries he has inflicted. I have known a vessel 

 to be struck by wounded swordfish as many as 

 twenty times in a season. There is even the spice 

 of personal danger to savor the chase, for the men 

 are occasionally wounded by the infuriated fish. 

 One of Captain Ashby's crew was severely wounded 

 by a swordfish which thrust his beak through the oak 

 floor of a boat on which he was standing, and pene- 

 trated about two inches in his naked heel. The 

 strange fascination draws men to this pursuit when 



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