The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-30
FIGHTING FISH IF
 CUBAN WATERS
Battle for Four Hours With An
 Aguja
DANGEROUS WHEN AROUSED
Carries Sharp, Stout Spear on Head Like SWordfish and Sometimes Weighs 400 Pounds-Taken
 With a Rod.
From the Washington Post.

From the Washington Post.
 with a rod, senor? Impossiblel"
 Pedro's voice denoted his surprise and grave doubt
 "It is impossible" he continued. 'The asuja runs as high as 400 pounds, and besides it is too dangerous a fish to toy with in that manner. He would have us all in the water in no tme," and care fully removing his dilapidated hat he faced tile breeze and skillfully lighted his beloved cigarette.
 Nevertheless we will try Pedro, To- morrow morning at will meet you here. Have everything in readiness and if luck fayors us We will match our skill against the strength of your wonderful fish," the American visitor in Havana replied.
 The beautiful Malecon was thronged with carriages and automobiles, and all Havana had seemingly turned out to en- joy the cool breeze of a typical Cuban night. The strains of a dazon faintly reached the visitors ears as he turned and crossing the Prado slowly walked to his hotel.
 A fine field for the angler who speaks 0 little Spanish and has an equal amount of patience is afforded by half an hour s sail from the mouth of Havana's har- bor. Tie waters are simply alive with fish, varying from the diminutive and rainbow hLed cabrilla to the shark and the monster aguja del paladar This last fish is king of game fishes and as dan gerous a proposition to handle as any sportsman would desire. It's capture is fraught with danger, as many a Cuban fisherman can testify and each year it claims all ignorant or unwary victim.
 To a Neede-Ike Point.
 It belongs to the family of the sword fish, as the stout and sharp spear, vary Ing from eight inches to three feet in length, at the end of its snout, denotes. This spear, which is of the same color as the fish, dark gray, is round and smooth, tapering into needle-like point Unlike the shark, 1t does not attack unless mo- tested, but when aroused 1t Is a danger ous and intelligent enemy.
 Its spear has been known to pierce small boats, and 1t has overturned a boat by a. lash of its powerful tail and killed its occupants. When hooked 1t will either sound or leap high out of the water, falling at will on It's side or back, or head first into the water again. Oc- casionally it will jump into the boat, to the peril of the occupants. Such acci- dents are responsible for the belief com mon among the fishermen that the fish when hard pressed deliberately leaps into the boat to meet its enemy.
 The aguja varies in size. The largest seen by the writer measured a little e;-~ otn. pounds The head is long and thick the body round and tapering into a long, powerful tail which propels the body at a great speed. It's meat is white and firm and is considered choice, bringing the highest price paid for sea food. The spring and early summer months are the best time to hunt It. and during the morning hours of these months the blue waters around Havana are dotted by scores of small boats, their little sails standing out on the cloudless horizon as they beat back and forth trolling.
 The Cuban fishermen are very skilfull and each one has his own peculiar meth cd of fishing. Lazy by nature. these men content themselves with one good catch week. This, as Pedro philosophically put it. "gives every one a chance to earn living and enjoy rest. Twenty dollars week, senori is enough for poor man."
 SIdfL TOT Ine TlS1i09s
 Pedro-Pedro Igacio Nunez de Villa vicencio, if you please-met the American angler at daylight on the following morn ing at the embarcadero of La Punta. The first streaks of dawn were painting the horizon into light purple, and faint breeze sufficient to propel the boat rip pied over the water. Lanterns bobbed here and there as boat after boat slowly passed out of the harbor, each and every one bent on one object-the capture of large aguja
 "A fine morning, senor." cried Pedro as, baggage in hand, the angler scrambled into his little craft
 The quarters were cramped and there was barely space in which to stretch ones legs What little room available was almost filled by the two baskets contain ing fishing tackle, hooks and bait. Pedro had insisted upon bringing along his lines notwithstanding the American's in tention to use rod.
 The little sail, with its many dirty patches, the work of Pedro's senora, was soon rigged and propelled by the slight breeze, the boat tackled directly across the harbor and out into the open sea.
 No one who has entered or left the harbor of Havana at daybreak can ever forget the panorama which stretches out before him. Like a picture of bygone ages the city, with It's stocly, low houses, lines the entire water front until 1t van ishes into the suburb of the Velado. Here and there lights twinkle, move and vanish while at regular intervals a lighted troll ley car shoots into view only to disap- pear as it rounds a curve.
 In the distance the hills, crowned by old fashioned formidable looking castles look down upon the city with It's ancient Morro standing a silent proof of the glores and strength of ancient Spain. Be- low the castle the dark blue waters lap the rugged rock foundations, booming forth as wave after wave filled some well worn cavity.
 Once away from the protecting walls of the Morro the wind coming from the east filled the sail and with surprising velocity the boat made it's way directly about 1t.
 For an hour or so 1t sailed, during which time the American put His rod together and fixed the reel with it's 200 yards of line. Pedro would not hear of using the hook selected by the angler, and even threatened to put for home if he insisted, claiming that it would be merely waste of time and fish. From his basket he drew a piece of piano wire, about five feet long, encircled two feet from the end by a piece of lead weighing about five ounces all this was attached to a hook of extra size.
 Pedro Was Doubtful.
 'I have used this hook, senor, for six years" Pedro exclaimed loudly as he attached the wire to the line, land many