Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-01-10
Shark VS.. Fisherman.

Il struck the tarpon in Charlotte
Harbor and, after a number Of brilliant
preliminary leaps and few quick runs
il several directions that had threaten
ed alike my equilibrium and my rod,
he had dashed for the open Gulf
through Big Gasparilla Pass" says A.
w. Dimock, in Appleton's. I'm the swift
current of the ebbing tide he had his
own way with us, although l gave my
tarpon line a chance to make good it's
warranted strength of forty pounds
and braced against my shoulder the
heavy rod until it cracked. while my
boatman padded nightly for the
shore. But the silver king SWAN
swiftly and strongly with occasional
joyous leaps. helped on by wind and
tide, and always seward, while the
shore receded with every minute that
passed.
when the bOatman ceased padding
for Il moment, to bail out some of the
water in which he sat, the bow of the
bubble boat swung around till it
pointed to the fish. Then l reeled
rapidly and seemed to be bringing in
the tarpon. but it was the canoe that
went out to him and the coast began
to fade. once | pulled too near and
the frightened tarpon bumped against
the canoe as he rose beside it and
splashed Il few more gallons of water
ever the low side of our craft.
The coast line grew fainter. the
water about us began to dance, and
the black cloud masses in the eastern
sky took solid form as they rolled to-
ward us. sending forth warning pealS
Of thunder. ! might have cut the line
and begun the race for shore against
the nncoming storm. had not the
tarpon scented tn be weakening and by
frequent changes in his course giving
hope of his speedy surrender AS the
canoe was again brought beside him he
started seaward once more with APP
l,arently uniinpaired strength. and !
had again 10 face my boatman's hint
that Mexico was the next land on our
course
Then came sudden relief as the FISH
dashed toward us, followed by the fear
that he had broken loose. For l reeled
in many yards. feeling only the strain
of the dragging line, until had half its
length Ia the good, and was counting
the game as lost when, within fifty feet
Of the canoe, the tarpOn rose half 4
dozen feet in the air while n great
splash in his wake told of his narrow
escape from 4 tiger of the sea. His
pursuer disappeared and / reeled in
line until | again felt the pull of the
fish. which was now ahead of us anu
making for the shore, when there APP
peared, swimming silently beside the
canoe so near that l could have laid
my hand upon him, quite the largest
hammerhcad shark have ever had the
fortune to meet. His length of over
fifteen feet exceeded that of our craft,
which seemed fraii indeed beside the
monster. and n CLASSY eye at the end OF
the three foot bar across the bruta's
nose looked us coldly over.
The tarpOn gave no more trouble
He swan steadily, rolling above the
surface at times, but holding mis-
general course toward GasparilIa Pass
and the beach. He was tractable. too.
and followed the lead of the line with
little resistance until we reached the
Swallowing water north of the pass
he then awakened to new life and nqd
made number of quick dashes fol-
lowed by wild leaps in the air, before a
big fin cutting the water in his wake
told that his ancient enemy was again
on his trail.
AS the water was now less than
waist deep l got out of the canoe and
played my part in the game from a
firm foothold as / slowly worked :he
fish shoreward. AS the water grew
shoaler the pursuit Of the hammerhead
became fiercer, and at his every dash
Tor his victim had to give out line
until more than hundred yards of 1t
was stretched between us. Again the
shark disappeared until had brought
the tarpon within fifty feet of me,
when he reappeared. his great bulk
gliding easily beside the tarpon, whose
every motion he followed like a
shadow. In sudden panic the pursued
fish jumped clear Of the water several