The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1866-07-06
Che Sra Ifampgre,
4 FIGHT WITH THE DEVIL FISH.
BY VICTOR HUGO.

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Gilliatt, the hero of the Toilers of the Sea,
who was at work on some island lodges try
ing to get off a vessel which had run on
them, while searching for crabs, remarked
some low, dark grottoes--a sort of caves
within cavern--which he had already OBJ
served from distance. He now stood
nearer them. The entrance to the nearest
to him was out Of the water and easily ap
proachable. Nearer still than this recess
he noticed, above the level of the water,
and within the reach of his hand, a horizon
tai fissure. 1t seemed to him probable that
the crab he sought had taken refuge there,
and he plunged his hand in as far as he was
able, and groped about in that dusky aper
ture.
Suddenly no felt himself seized by the
arm. A strange, indescribable horror
thrilled through him.
Some living thing-thn, rough. fiat. cold
slimy-had twisted itself round his naked
arm, in the dark depths below. 1t crept
upward toward his chest. tspressure was
like a tightening cord, its steady persistence
like that of a screw. HInless than moment
some mysterious spiral form had passed
round his wrist aud elbow, and had reached
his shoulder. A sharp point penetrated
beneath the armpit.
Gilliatt recoiled; but he had scarcely
power to move! He was, as it were, nailed
to the place. With his left hand, which
was disengaged, he seized his knife, which
he still held between his teeth, and with
that hand, holding the kuile, he supported
himself against the rocks, while he made
desperate effort to withdraw his arm. He
succeeded in only disturbing his prosecutor
which wound itself still tighter. 1t was
supple as leather, strong as steel, cold as
night
A second form, sharp, elongated and mar.
row, issued out of the crevice like tongue
out of monstrous jaws. Ii seemed to lick
his naked body. Then, suddenly stretching
out became longer and thinner, as it crept
over his skin, and wound itself around him.
At the same time terrible sense OF pain,
compelled his muscles to contract. He felt
upon his skin number of fiat rounded
points. 1t seemed as if innumerable suck
ers had fastened to his flesh and were
about to drink his blood.
A third long, undulating shape issued
from the hole in the rock seemed to feel
its way about his body, lashed round his
ribs like a cord, and fixed itself there.
Agony when at its hight is mute. GilliGtt
uttered no cry. There was sufficient light
for him to see the repulsive forms which
had entangled themselves about him. A
fourth ligature, but this one, swift as an
arrow, darted toward his stomach, and
wound around him there.
1t was impossible to sever or tear away
the Shiny bands which were twisted tightly
round his oody, and were adhering by
number of points Each of the points was
the focus of frghtfp and singular pangs.
II was as if numberless small mouths were
devourng hiin at the same time.
A fifth long slimy, ribbon-shaped strip
issued from the hole. IL passed over the
others, and wound itself tightly around his
chest. The compression increased his suf-
ferings. He could scarcely breathe.
These living thongs were pointed at
their extremities, broadened Ike the blade
Of a sword toward the hilt. All belonged