SOME SOUTH AMERICAN FISHES 143 



hideous fish (which the Chincha Islanders dub 

 " leather-jaci<et "), palpably unfit to eat, hooked 

 itself. 



I could always depend upon catching a dozen 

 or more rock-cod, but six big ones were sufficient 

 cargo for my yacht, the Midget, and after securing 

 that number, this particular trip ended. 



Once, when fishing near the North Island, 

 luckily in a larger boat and with a companion, 

 I was on the point of landing a small rock-cod, 

 when a long, grey shadow with an extraordinarily 

 shaped head, rushed up from the depths and 

 swallowed codling and all. I struck, and found 

 I had got something that pulled me half over the 

 side. My friend came to my aid, and we played 

 out the line. But how that beast did carry on ! 

 It shook its head like a bull-dog, tore about and 

 seemed possessed with the spirit of mischief, until 

 having let out nearly all the line, we feared we 

 should have to cut it, but we contrived to get 

 the anchor up, and let the big fish tow the boat. 

 Of this he soon tired ; his rushes became weaker 

 and less frequent, and we came up to him and 

 ended the struggle with a couple of revolver 

 bullets in his head. That the line held was 

 a wonder, but it was very strong, as was also 

 the splendidly tempered Limerick conger-hook. 



