Tombstone epitaph., 1916-08-13

&unaeu$ To kill Manta, which is the scientific name for devilfish. perfect handling of the boat is necessary and proper crew IS the first consideration in equippinG an expedition. In my 20 years eNperi- ence of fishing or the coast of North Carolina. l 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. was fortunate in se- curing the services of Capt. John Me Cam of Punta Gorda, Fla, beyond question the best-known and most efil- 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 a small 6-fOot, open boat with an eight-horse power gasoline en- zine. The construction. however. of this little boat was extra strong. or It wocld have been wrecked by the terri- fc pounding 1t received.
 The men were nearly perfect for the positions which they were 10 fill, know ing what to do no matter what condi- ton might arise: therefore not much time was required in training the crew. On such an expedition 1t is necessary for every man to move instantly when the word is given. like part of per feet machine, for I 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 Manta would have had to rise to the surface to be seen. and posted three men to keep close watch, one on each side of the boat. and one behind us, while l watched in front.
 We had run down the full length of the coast of Captive Island and were about a mile of the shore of Sanibel Island and in front of Blind Pass. when there came. suddenly and with out warning. a most terrific shock, which threw the four of us who were standing to our hands and knees for n fraction of a second. The boat, which was running at full speed, had met the head of a 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 headway of the boat. and its bow was lifted more than 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 iladly into the air, almost meeting over our heads and delugine us with many gallons of water. Then the two fins crashed down on the sur face of the sea with a noise that could have been heard for miles. and the Manta instantly repeated the perform ance as yelled to the engineer. "keeT 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 witt sufficient force to spin the boat around until its direction was almost reversed Al one time all four of the great blacl pectoral fins were towering above us and large quantities of water wer' lung into the boat. First the head an' then the stern of the boat was highes as it was pitched from side to side, anc then I heard the chug, chug, chug O the racing propeller blades as the! gashed the tip of the pectoral fin O tbe first Manta. The engineer kept thu engine going at full speed. but the pro peller blades were not catching the wa fer now, and for a short distance VI were carried upon the broad backs O the two monster devils of the sea.
 fully realized the danger. as di' every one of the men with me in tha little boat. but every man filed hi place perfectly and there was no out