New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-26

einy rams him again shower OF scales goes
settling to the bottom. and the wounds snow
white in his green ribs. He tries the surface
and the calm water Is dashed into tempest or
ripplcs. In despair he punges down to the
narrow bottom. hoping perhaps to find some
hole to shelter in till his hurts are healed IL
was a fatal decision. and ne knows 1t too late
Slantwise, like a lance. the red fish shoots down
upon him. and holds him in the narrow foot OF
the jar. No rabbit driven by a ferret into the
blind end OF his burrow ever so much at the
mercy Of his tormentor. The green tail Is the
first to suffer. 1t Is all too tempting toothhoid
in its wavy. undulating curves Its featncry'
transparent edge is torn to ribbons, ana then
the red fish attacks the dorsal fin. With every
furious backward tug the fabric gives. but still
the poor fool clings to the bottom, rather imam
face the terrors above. Nal YIN and ms pack-
ers have shouted their voices away. The pet
ting Is ten tikals to and no takers. ana
Mai KEN is softly aepersing the reputation OF
the green fsh's female ancestors to the third
generation. his fingers itching the while to drag
his recrcant champion into the open water IL
only the rules allowed 1t.
But who shall passively allow himself to be
dssected by ragged teeth? Naked OF scales
from quarter to rudder. the tortured green
makes n blind rush upward, and. as ms Tor
mentor makes grab at his pcctorai IN NJ
turns and Crapples. 1t is a struggle Of despair,
and In the teinpcstuous broil the spectators can
not for a few minutes which has the upper
hand. Even Mai KEN takes heart TO shouJ
warcry. unaccompanicd. however, by bet me
combatants. fast locked. seem 10 be SplnhlnS
i'm an airnlcss circle. VIII they never break
away? So terrific Is the struggle that shouts
die down TO stined calculations: the gallery
catches it breath. and then a great shout ot
victory rcnds the summer air. For the STRAIN
ing bodies have risen to the surface, ana Il
fountain OF spray from the thrashing talIS mas
srlashcd tn. first line Of eager faces; when. with
one, eupr-n me- wrench. the red fish straiShtcnS
himself Ike ~ bent spring. tears nlmself ire"
and LAYS "A hating zi@Zag course To the bottom
Of the bowl In his teeth he carries much mat
does not belong to him: but he has had enough
and il his enemy could even now flap a fin. ana
right himself in the water just for Appearances
he Nigh; save his reputation and his owner >
money. But he is past caring for fame. lhcrc
he lies carcencd over on his side. with one torn
fin-stirnr clear Of the water. and Il ragged TAN
drooping idly toward the bottom. He has
fought his last fight, and he wants death to
take him quietly.
Tcndcrly Nal Vim lifts his game little cham
pi0n with the bamboo spoon. He TOO mas
fought his last fight but there are stu seasons
81 honorable retirement and family life before
him His rigging hangs about him in "A wreck
that would excite derision but for the glory 81
H. and mis- teeth ar. bunted beyond repair
And evcn 90 his great heart Is not daunt"d. for
he bites savagely at Mai Yims finger, as that
proud sportsman restores him to his travelling
lar and takes him home In be the father oil gen
erations of warriors To come.
Va, Victis, The poor battered corpse or me
green fish is dishonored in his most honorable
death Mai KEN. smothcrlng an execrhtl"n aS
no urtles tho amount Of his lost wager from the
corner " his parnung. sings him To the dogs
stlll fccbly waving nn-stump. tBaSll Ihoih-
SON In The New Review.