386 
SAVAGE SUDAN 
Already in Unexplored Spain (p. 300) we have referred 
to this subject. For within the Straits of Gibraltar, 
and on the adjacent coasts, tunny of 100 to 150 lb. and 
upwards are captured by Spanish fishermen. Hitherto, 
however, no British angler has given attention to 
opportunities offering so much nearer home. 
While disclaiming expert knowledge, I may still relate 
what I saw of this sport and of the methods employed. 
Armed with a 7J-foot rod, as stiff as a poker, and a 
reel holding 200 yards of line, the angler rows out to a 
favourable spot—usually near a harbour entrance, and 
early morn or late afternoon for choice. But, after all, 
the most essential element is the local fisherman in 
attendance. This swarthy functionary makes fast his 
“dug-out” (provided with store of live sardines kept in 
floating basses alongside) to your anchored boat. By 
handfuls this silent savage hurls sardines broadcast over 
the sea. So soon as a submarine attack thereon 
develops, he deftly chucks more and more handfuls, and 
instantly on these being seized a baited hook follows. 
Wondrous smart, however, is barracouta, or albacore, or 
bonito to detect the difference. Lure after lure (with a 
hook in it) is disdained, and hopes sink low. Then a 
lucky cast is rewarded by a fearsome lunge and a firm 
hold. Up to this point the rod has been lying neglected 
on the thwarts, the bight of the line being held midway 
in the professional hand. Now the angler takes charge; 
the slack is reeled-in and a terrific struggle ensues. The 
initial sensation is as of being attached to a runaway 
rhino—by a pack-thread—for a stout barracouta goes 
“fair mad” on realising the loss of liberty, plunging and 
ploughing the seas, or diving to the depths in turn. 
Despite strength or skill, the rod-point is dragged 
from , the perpendicular—time and again its tip touches 
the sea. Ten minutes of this hurly-burly and it becomes 
a question of sheer endurance—will the angler or the 
captive first give in from sheer exhaustion ? The fight 
