The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1899-03-23
Recently Caught by
A KIondiker.
/ HlRR0E FREEZING STORY
The Monster Would hsys csvssd
Old Nick Himself to
Shudder.

IF any one requires dash Of ex-
element can recommend the hsh-
ing Of Alaska" said returned
Kiondiker ~ had been fishing
above Sitka when one day 1 found
myself near a camp 81 Indians. AS
l had some game / divided with
them. and forthwith was invited TO
a feast OF their own providing. We
sat around a big wooden dish. in
which was something that looked
like frogs legs. but frogs so gigan-
tie that ! knew IL was something
else. IL required some courage to
eat this dish. but hunger gives a
man stamina OF certain kind, 30
] shut my eyes and began the feast.
The article was not 80 bad as IL APP
peared. II tasted like crab. and
some Of II had the consistency Of
rubber rings which babies chew on
Altogether IL was not To be despised.
combining food with exercise.
1T was sea spider. SO the natives
told me. member OF the cuttlefish.
family. As they were going out on
more l persuaded them 20 take me
with them. We dropped anchor In
the lee OF a little point Of rocks and
began fishing. i; In a famous coun-
try for fish and II was nothing but
pun in for the natives. while I did
not have a bite.
My time was coming. however. I
had on a heavy einker. so that every
time the boat lifted I felt a sharp
jerk, which deceived me. But once.
when the boat rose on a big wave.
my line did not give. and I shouted
20 the Indians next to me that I
was foul. He took the line. gave a
tremendous jerk. and received one in
return; then. bracing himself back,
he began TO pull and scream: then
all hands screamed. and ! under
stood that a sea spider had the line
and also the bottom. expected ev-
cry minute 70 see the canoe 20 over,
as the men went from side to side.
now forcing the rail down so that
the water poured in. now lifting with
a mighty yell. then slackening OF so
suddenly that they fell in heap.
zone man armed himself with a
knife. while companion held a
short handled case knife between his
teeth-movements suggestive OF the
coming Of an enemy. Suddenly a
member Of the crew seized n sharp
boat hook. which. after another look.
he Jabbed into the unknown and in
visible. In response a long. slender
tentaeie shot into the air and form
ed n wierd Interrogation point. then
Il grasped the pike. then three more
appeared. creeping inslduously over
the edge OF the canoe at which the
natives struck wildly. some shouting
to slack the line. others TO haul In.
In the midst OF the confusion the
sea spider concluded 60 come aboard
Torn from the bottom, IL had come
up easily: then. seeing the canoe.
and possibly thinking IL a vantage
ground. u grasped II and slid over
the side. mass Of living. Shiny. red
dlsh-brokn snakes. When they rear
ed up could see rows of suckers.
each of which was veritable air
pump. and as there was seemingly
thousands Of them. the sucking pow
er OF this spider of the sea was APP
parent. Blows were aimed at 10
whenever opportunity offered. but
the weird animal fairly slid over the
rail. winding one of its arms around
an oar. Its head or body hung on
the rail--a brown mass the size of
mans head--from which cleaned
two rreenish-yeliow eyes. The ami
NAL changed color like a chameleon:
rushes Of red. brown, and gray fol-
lowed one another over II. while
from its lower portion oozed
stream OF ink which splashed in our
faces as the tentacles flew about. IL
was fifteen minutes before they had
the life hammered out Of the fright
full creature. and then 1t was ques-
ton who had won.
''rhe canoe was now half full or
water. as a hole had been knocked
In the side, which was finally stop
ped with n piece OF skin. 1t was Ave
miles to camp. but ! preferred walk
lnE. and so the men put me on
shore. got to the camp In time TO
meet them and see the sea spider
taken out. II had "A spread OF near
Is s5 feet. measuring from the tips
OF the outstretched tentacles."