THE GLADIATOR OF THE SEA 



once with barracuda, and as lie paid no attention 

 to them we left him. This fish leaped half out on 

 two occasions, once showing his beautiful proportions, 

 his glistening silver white, and his dangerous-looking 

 rapier. 



The second one leaped twice before we neared 

 him. And as we made a poor attempt at circling 

 him, he saw the boat and would have none of our 

 offers. 



The third one was skimming along just under the 

 surface, difificult to see. After one try at him we 

 lost him. 



They were not up on the surface that day, as they 

 are when the best results are obtained. The east 

 wind may have had something to do with that. 

 These fish would average about three hundred pounds 

 each. Captain Dan says the small ones are more 

 wary, or not so hungry, for they do not strike readily. 



I got sunburnt and a dizzy headache and almost 

 seasick. Yet the day was pleasant. The first few 

 days are always hard, until I get broken in. 



Next morning the water and conditions were ideal. 

 The first two swordfish we saw did not stay on the 

 surface long enough to be worked. The third one 

 stayed up, but turned away from the bait every 

 time we got it near him. So we left him. 



About noon I sighted a big splash a mile off shore- 

 ward, and we headed .that way. Soon I sighted fins. 

 The first time round we got the bait right and I felt 

 the old thrill. He went down. I waited; but in vain. 



He leaped half out, and some one snapped a 

 picture. It looked like a fortunate opportunity 

 grasped. We tried him again, with flying-fish and 



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