Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-07-27

| WaJST huu CONeE6u Will sLudll uchtlS VI
the coral known as Meandrina, inter
spersed with fans and plumes.
The boat was hauled between two OF
the heads, and Tom, Harry and the
others were sitting on her gunwale rest
ing when they were attracted by shout
from Will, who had waded away over
the heads.
Here's a queer-looking something
under the coral!" he shouted. "Come
overl"
The boys moved off in his direc-
ton.
at looks like bundle of snakes" he
continued. "Well, here goesl" and
aiming his grains at the object, Will let
drive.
There was a commotion for amoment.
Will cluug to his spear, the pole bend
ing and writhing about.
I can't see what it isp' he shouted.
"Come quick!"
The boys pushed hard, but were yet
twenty or thirty yards from Will when
he jumped upon a coral head with a
scream, and up from the water, clinging
to his les, appeared Shiny, writhing,
clinging mass of flesh that Mortified the
boys.
Will had lost his hold upon the spear,
but courageously drew his case-knife
and cut at the monster. that had now
crept up to his waist.
''It is an octopus!" shouted Tom, as
the boat rushed in to the head of coral,
and seizing his spear, overheard he
went, and as Harry grasped Wills ex-
tended arm and tried to drag him into
or toward the boat, he hurled his spear
again and again into the creature and
endeavored to push it from Will knee,
where it had now settled under the
vigorous blows of the knife.
Two of the arms were severed in this
way, but the others clung like leeches,
winding about his legs, doubling and
twisting all the while.
Will was faint and weak, but the rest
encouraged him, and finally he struck
deep blow iuto the body of the monster,
and Tom settling down almost under the
water, with tremendous lift tore the
ugly creature from its hold.
AT the same moment the boys in the
boat, who had clung to Viii, fairly
jerked him into the boat, with some of
the arms of the octopus still clinging to
him.
Tom was not a moment behind, as
the creature had escaped from him, and
he was likewise hauled aboard.
Will was badly cut; his legs, arms
and neck were covered with round
marks. as if he had been cupped; and
some of them bled badly, while other
sharp bites were evidently the marks of
parrot-like bills.
The water for many feet about them
still showed evidence of the str uggle.
beiug as black as ink from the sepia
the animal had elected i'll its fear or
rage.
Will was determined to have the body
of the octopus. So. after the water had
cleared, they commenced the search,
and finally the ugly fellow--or what
was left of lt---was found under clump
Of branch coral. The boat was held
over the spot, aud three spears were
sent into it at once. Even now it strug-
gled hard, and as they lifted it aboard
the creature dragged at least Fifty
pounds of dead coral with it. But once
I'M the boat it was soon finished with
hatchet and packed away in half
barrel, which it nearly filed, and was
found to weigh afterward ITO pounds.
"You wouldn't believe q creature
like that would have so much strength, I"
said Will, as they started for home.
"As soon as l hit it it seemed to run up
the spear, and nearly twisted the pole
out of my hands. and the water became
as black as ink; and the first thing T
knew I felt something like a red-hot
band clasp my leg, and then another
and then I made jump for the head,
and the animal tried to climb upon me.
1 don't know whether he was trying to
attack me or escape; but I've learned
one lesson-never to strike an octopus
unless you are IN boat.