170 
Wild Life in Southern Seas. 
weapon, and sent it clean through the great 
fish’s jaw. In an instant the takuo “ sounded,” 
going down almost in a straight line, and the 
trader, fearing that line and spear would be 
lost, shouted to one of his crew to take a couple 
of turns of the line round the for’ard pole that 
supported the outrigger. The native—a boy— 
was so confused that by some mischance the end 
of the line, which was knotted, got jammed 
before he could take the necessary turns. Away 
went the canoe, the trader keeping it head on 
as well as he could by steering, for with the 
slightest deviation it would have either capsized 
or filled. Presently the fish rose a few fathoms 
(but still kept up a great speed), and the man 
for’ard attempted to drag free the knotted end 
of the line. But he was not quick enough, for 
suddenly the takuo went sharp about and then 
dived again, and in an instant over went the 
canoe and out went the occupants. The weight 
of the now filled craft seemed to drive the fish 
desperate, for he made tremendous struggles to 
free himself, rising twice to the surface and 
making a terrific splashing. Eventually the 
outrigger lashings carried away, but the 
for’ard outrigger pole stood, and two of the 
