THE GLADIATOR OF THE SEA 



When we got to the dock we made a discovery. 

 There was a kink in my leader about one inch above 

 the hook. Nothing but the sword of old Xiphius 

 gladius could have made that kink! Then I remem- 

 bered a strange, quick, hard jerk that had taken 

 my bait, and which I thought had been done by a 

 shark. It was a swordfish striking the bait off! 



Next day we left the dock at six fifteen, Dan and 

 I alone. The day was lowering and windy — looked 

 bad. We got out ahead of every one. Trolled out 

 five miles, then up to the west end. We got among 

 the Japs fishing for albacore. 



About eleven I sighted a B. B. We dragged a 

 bait near him and he went down with a flirt of his 

 tail. My heart stood still. Dan and I both made 

 sure it was a strike. But, no! He came up far 

 astern, and then went down for good. 



The sea got rough. The wind was chilling to the 

 bone. Sheerwater ducks were everywhere, in flocks 

 and sii^ly. Saw one yellow patch of small bait fish 

 about an inch long. This patch was forty yards 

 across. No fish appeared to be working on it. 



Dan sighted a big swordfish. We made for him. 

 Dan put on an albacore. But it came off before I 

 could let out the line. Then we tried a barracuda. 

 I got a long line out and the hook pulled loose. 

 This was unfortunate and aggravating. We had 

 one barracuda left. Dan hooked it on hard. 



"That '11 never come off!" he exclaimed. We 

 circled old Xiphius, and when about fifty yards dis- 

 tant he lifted himself clear out — a most terrifying 

 and magnificent fish. He would have weighed four 

 hundred. His colors shone — blazed — ^purple blue, 



183 



