Deep-Sea Fishing in Polynesia. 
”3 
years’ experience of the Pacific Islands, was 
often lost in admiring wonder at their skill, 
courage, and resourcefulness in the exercise of 
their daily task of fishing, either in shallow 
water within the reef, or miles away from the 
land on the darkest nights, and using tackle of 
such weight, size, and peculiar construction 
that the uninitiated beholder imagines he is 
living in the age of primeval man. 
Flying-fish catching is, perhaps, the most 
exciting and exhilarating of all South Sea 
Islands’ fishing. There are many methods ; for 
they are caught both by day and night. In the 
Gilbert and Kingsmill Islands, lately annexed 
by Great Britain, their capture by day is 
effected by thin lines trailed astern by sailing 
canoes, and at night by the aid of torches with 
nets. In this latter manner, however, the 
light-skinned inhabitants of the Ellice Islands 
surpass their northern neighbours of the 
Gilberts. Let us imagine that just about sun¬ 
set we are on one of the low-lying islands of 
the former group. The mission bell, or rather 
the wooden cylinder that does duty for such, 
has been rung for evening prayers. The even¬ 
ing is calm and quiet, and the smooth sea gives 
9 
