The herald., 1894-09-02

There were three parallel coral reefs
running north and south, with an aver.
age distance OF half q mile between
them. Aside from these reefs there
were great beds OF rock, which were
wholly bare at low tide, with here and
there a small islet OF solid rock. The
water was deep enough to carry
quarter boat anywhere at any
rate OF the tide. but it was only
at low tide that we could locate
an octopus and make an attempt to cap.
ture him. At the close Of the third day,
when we had pretty thoroughly ex-
plored the entire reef without finding
anything, the five of as, In yawl.
passed into cross channel which skirt
ed the base OF MACS of rock COW
ering an area OF an acre or more.
We had only about three feet OF
water under the keel, and all oil
q sudden we came upon q spot where
the bed Of the channel was almost 90.
structed with the bones Of fshes and
turtles. We knew At once that we had
come upon the lair of q devilfsh. and
without waiting to make . closer inves-
tigation OF the locality we marked tie
spot and pulled away for the bark. The
Malabar fishermen were certain from
the great deposit OF bones that the spot
had been the haunt of an octopus for
years and that we should find him one
OF the largest aize. We might have de-
veloped him by rowing q few yards
farther. as we took notice of q sort OF
cave in the rocks, where he was most
likely slowed away, but we had informa-
ton to act upon.
THE VICTIM SIGHTED.
Nat ,orr;r.o Hath haato and tba
canoe approached the mass of rock from
the opposite side. and as soon as the
ebbng tide had left 1t bare Professor
Girdehaw was landed that he might
make q personal inspection. Our ap-
proach was made 90 silently as possible,
and the professor removed his boots
before landing that our game might not
be startled, not that there was any dan
ger oil of his running away, but that he
would not hesitate to attack US. and We
were not ready for battle. Alter an
investigation lasting quarter OF an
hour the professor returned to his boat
with the information that he had 10.
Gated the creature in the cavern spoken
OF. He made it out very plainly, and
was surprised aud dismayes at the size.
He had counted i've great tentacles, and
the bulk OF the octopus was that of a
waahtub.
With firearms, harpoons and lances
we should come off victorious in bat
tie, but the object was to capture the
monster alive and unhurt. Its feeding
time would be at high water, and at
low water 1t might come out on the
rocks or swim about In the channels.
Before the tide was at its lowest we
landed on the rock and stretched two
large Helmets acrobs it and weighted
Thorn at the corners with rocks to pre-.
vent them being carried away. In both
channels leading from the cavern we
stretched other nets. and at dead low
water we hauled off to see II anything
would occur. Something did. The
devifish decided to take little amble
around, and he came down channel
toward our fotilla. When he reached
the net and found his progress checked
he was furious in an instant, and did
just what we hoped he would do. He
seized 1t and began pulling and hauling,
| and in o minute or two he was all tam
gled up. For the next quarter OF an
hour we we're treated to rare exhibi-
| ton.
No whale could havs made the fuss
| that octopus did. In his struggles he
threw water 20 feet high and for 30 feet
around him, and now and then he raised
| a tentacle high in the air and swept it
around him like fail, and with nuch q
swish 40 limb would make in the
hands OF q giant. The net was Of ths
strongest materials, and when he ceased
to struggle we realized that he was
pretty we'll tangled up. We could do
nothing more toward his capture just
then, however, as the tide had turned
and he had retreated to his lair. Ii We
we could get him out OF that and upon
the rocks next morning, there was
good chance of his capture.
THE LAST ATTACK.
At O'Clock the next morning we
landed on the rock and found the nets
all right. We had brought along two
iron hoped barrels filed with sand,
and these were rolled into depreesions.
Prof. Girdshaw had come in the canoe
with q native, armed with big squirt
gun made by the ships carpenter and
large Jar OF chloroform, and when all
was ready we made q circuit to the west
and got as near as we dared to the
cavern and then began throwing stones
| at it. We had not been at work over
| five minutes when the octopus was
routed out. We first saw one tentacle
shoot out OF the water and clutch the
rock above. and then the creature slow
" and laborously drew itself out. The
net had been bitten and broken in
many places, but still tangled about
him 90 az to greatly hamper his move
ments. OF the five arms only one was
entirely free.
The octopus no doubt believed the at
| tack had been made from above, for he
had ne sooner caught sight Of the bar
| rels than he made an attack. In doing
80 he struck the nets on the. rock, and
the exhibition OF the day before was
nothing compared to this. His arms
were all thrashing about at the same
time, and as he found himself entangled
anew he used his horrible beak in every
direction and strained till we could hear
his Joints cracking. Nothing living could
have broken out the tangle, but We had
good idea OF the creatures strength by
the way in which he moved the barrel
about. Either one Of Thorn was heavy
tug for four men, and yet. with his fifth
or FREQ tentsclo no hauled them about
az if they had been empty, and after
three or four minutes both were rolled
clear off the rock into the water.
1t was perhaps 10 minutesN before the
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