Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1884-04-21
Sglpnlhs' Column,
CATCHING A "PUFFING PIG"

Ter rare ana curious nSn LOT VIC lnu-
scum, and was beginning to feel dis
couraged over my prospects, when
the news was brought to me that
live ''puffing pig" was stranded on a
reef at Coney Island. Never having
heard of fish that bore so curious a
name, l was anxious to find out what
kind of marine animal putting pig
might be, but concluded that it must
be large fish from the fact of its
being stranded.
The fisherman who discovered the
putting pig was a negro, known by
the name of Bill Poppaw, of whom l
had very high opinion, as he was
by far the most reliable and intelli-
gent of all the negroes on the bay.
After inquiring as to the condition
of the pig, and judging that it had
not been wounded, but was only
greatly exhausted from being out of
the water too long, we proceeded
over to the island to secure this mys-
FERROUS and oddly named fish.
On reaching the reef, there, sure
enough, was a splendid specimen of
a putting pig, squealing and putting
out his breath through his blow hole
as if in great distress. In length he
was about five feet, and his round
and plump body glistened in the sun.
as he lay struggling on the sand,
vainly trying to reach the water.
''Poor Mr.. Putting Pig so you ven
tured too far in shore after your fa-
vorite food, the eel, and the rapidly
receding tide left you stranded high
and dry on the sand-bar."
Tying a light and long rope fast
to his tail, and taking off all our cloth
ing except our fishing trousers, we
we rolled him into the water in order
to refresh him little. Well, wasn't
he a happy putting pig and how hard
he tried to swim out to deep water
and make his escape! Feeling that l
had him securely in my possession by
means of the rope, l humored him a
little and allowed him to swim out
further and further, as / knew we
could easily pull him in again. Sud-
denly he made one terrific plunge,
and both of us were off our feet,
sprawling in the water after the line.
Before we could recover ourselves the
pufiiug pig had drawn it well into
deep water.
We both struck out to get poss-
ession of the line and bring it in
shore. Bnt the moment we reached
it the putting pig suddenly appeared
on the surface, and made one of those
short tumbling dives so peculiar to
all porpoises. Bill had hold of the
line some distance ahead of me,
now felt almost positive that the fish
had us at disadvantage, for every
moment he seemed to gain strength
and we were being rapidly carried
toward Fort Hamilton.
The porpoise again came to surface
to get fresh supply of air. when
shouted to Bill to hold on. Suddenl,
and without the least warning W
were both drawn head first beneat
the water. Down, down, we went
and / began to wonder how niue
deeper Mr.. Putting Pig was going be
fore we could have chance to reac
the surface for fresh supply of all
and whether Bill was as long-winde
as myself. Presently 1 felt the lin
slacken, and / knew the porpois
was either on his upward course {
was turning back.
By this time the air in my lung
had entirely lost its life-sustainin
qualities, and peculiar smotherin
sensation was increasing every il
slant. Just at this critical momel
/ reached the surface, and took
one immense gulp Of new air, b.
was instantly taken under the wat
again.
This time we seemed to be goir
down much deeper than before, for
could feel the increased pressure
the water in my ears, and | thong
to myself should be carried down
great distance that | can't rea
the surface of the water again
time for fresh supply of air, there
going to be trouble. What's the Il
of holding on to the line any longe
The putting pig has got away from
that's certain; and, for all | knO
when / do reach the surface, it W
cost me great effort to get to
shore, though l am an expert in t
water. AS for Bill, he won't let
until | do, for he is much strong
than | am and can stand it long
| think we are both acting very |
wisely in trying to see which C
hold out the longer.
Just as l had reached this conc
sion there was fresh pull on the lii
and William Poppaw was climb
through the water as fast and hard
he could strike and kick with
hands and feet. My opinion of
at that moment was that he was
very wise colored man, and | let
my hold on the line, and follow
his example.
1t seemed to me as though | wo
never reach the surface; every
slant was an age. But at last
head shot through the water, anC
knew | was safe. Turning on