134 ALONO THE FLORIDA REEF. 



Before Dick had take"n it from the hook the 

 doctor had landed another, and soon bites were 

 felt on all sides — a success that caused a con- 

 stantly deepening smile to grow on Long John's 

 red face. The tall fisherman was kept busy 

 preparing bait and killing cray-fish, but he en- 

 joyed the enthusiasm of the boys and shared 

 their delight. 



" I've got the bottom ! " shouted ungram- 

 matical Harry, drawing up his line. 



There was no pulling ; the line came in as a 

 dead weight, and in a moment or two Harry 

 had drawn up and lifted into the boat some- 

 thing that looked precisely like a porcupine and 

 was quite as large, at the appearance of which 

 Long John roared with laughter. 



" Hey, don't put him near me ! " cried Dick, 

 drawing up his legs. 



" Is he dead ? " asked Tom. 



" Why, it's a porcupine-fish — a Diodon," said 

 the doctor delightedly ; " and a big fellow, 

 too." 



The boys danced around in a lively manner 

 to keep out of the prickly fellow's way. 



