258 SALMON FISHING IN a\NADA. 



could ^not have been quicker. As tliey flew along at the 

 tail of the monster, they could see nothing but a white 

 bank of foam, which rolled up before them higher than the 

 bow of the boat, threatening each moment to overflow 

 them. 



At length the unfortunate fish slackened his speed, when 

 the men hauled up to him and the harpooner adroitly 

 darted his lance, a pointed weapon as sharp as a needle, 

 deep into his flesh ; again the poor animal made a despe- 

 rate but short race, at the end of which he was met by the 

 second boat which had kept as near as possible during the 

 chase, and from which he received another wound with the 

 piercing lance. Weakened ^vith loss of blood, which was 

 now spouted forth from his huge nostrils in torrents, the 

 subdued monster soon became passive, and his captors lay 

 off at safe distance to wait the last struggle. This was 

 soon over, for after a few moments of convulsive ■writhing, 

 there came the final spasm which was terrible to see. The 

 surrounding waters were lashed into foam, and all previous 

 exhibitions of the huge fish's power were as nothing com- 

 pared with the incredible strength put forth in the last 

 " fluriy," which however gradually subsided till the dpng 

 monster wearily elevated his monstrous head considerably 

 above the waves, uttered a groan loud beyond conception, 

 and lay a lifeless mass upon the waters which were deeply 

 tinged with his blood. 

 The two boats then approached the enormous carcass, 



