The Monticellonian., 1916-08-10

which is the scientific name for devilfish, perfect handling of the boat is necessary and a proper crew Is the first consideration in equipping an expedition. In my 20 years eXpefl- ence of fishing off the coast of North Carolina, I have always made up my crew from the native market fishermen, in preference to the guides and boat men usually employed by sportsmen. On this occasion, in addition to Capt. Charlie Willis, I was fortunate in se- curing the services of Capt. John Me Cam of Punta Gorda, Fla, beyond question the best-knoWn and most efi1- .cient fisherman on the Florida coast, and he selected the three other mem bers of the crew-all young men, trained, active, and without fear. Cap tain McCann also furnished the boat, which was small 6-foot. open boat with an eigh-horse power gasoline en- zine. The construction, however. of this little boat was extra strong, or 1t would have been wrecked by the terri fic pounding 1t received.
 The men were nearly perfect for the positions which they were 10 fill, know ing what to do no matter what eondi- tion might arise; therefore not much time was required In training the crew. On such an expedition it is necessary for every man to move instantly when the word Is given, like part of per feet machine. for 1 cannot turn my head when the fight is on.
 When the boat passed out through Captive Inlet into the Gulf of Mexico, the water was so thick that a Manta would have had to rise te the surface to be seen, and I posted three men to keep close watch. one on each side of the boat, and one behind us. while watched in front.
 We had run down the full length of the coast of Captive Island and were about mile off the shore of Sanibel Island and in front of Blind Pass, when there came, suddenly and with out warning. n most terrific shock, which threw the four of us who were standing to our hands and knees for a fraction of second. The boat which was running at full speed, had met the head of Manta, rising to the surface and coming toward us at moderate speed. The shock of the collision was so great that 1t almost stopped the iheadway of the boat. and It's bow was lifted more than a foot out of the wa ter; but our speed carried the boat up over the high part of the back of the Manta just as the two great black fins were flung nadly into the air, almost meeting over our heads and deluging us with many gallons of water Then :he two fins crashed down on the sur face of the sea with a noise that could have heen heard for miles. and the Manta instantly repeated the perform ance as yelled to the engineer, Keep her going" Just as the boat was slid ing from the back of the creature, an. other huge Manta rushed up from be- low. striking full on our port bow with sufficient force to spin the boat around until its direction was almost reversed. At one time all four of the great black
 
 and large quantities of water were flung into the boat. First the head and then the stern of the boat was highest as 1t was pitched from side to side aud then l heard the chug. chug. chug of the racing propeller blades as they gashed the tip of the pectoral fin of the first Manta. The engineer kept the
 
 peller blades were not catching the wa ter now, and for a short distance We were carried upon the broad backs of the two monster devils of the sea.
 I fully realized the danger as did every one of the men with me in that little boat, but every man filled his place perfectly and there was no out