n this they were to do most of their fishing,
their host declared.

Assisted by the northeastward pressure of the Gulf Stream, they made
splendid progress, and that evening cast anchor behind Bimini, a tiny
isle which rests like a jeweled feather on a summer sea. It was like
pulling teeth to go below deck for sleep and leave the wondrous beauty
of the tropical night, with the soft, cool touch of the ever-blowing
trade wind, the shadowy grace of the giant coconut-palms swaying and
whispering on the nearby beach in the moonlight, while the surf,
lapping upon the coral reef on the outer side of the isle, lulled them
with its crooning obligato.

At sunrise all hands were up and ready for the sport. A hot breakfast
was served by the cook, after which they piled aboard the motor-tender,
throwing in rods, lines, and harpoons.

Through the island channel out to the open sea they went, all except
the steersman hanging over the side of the craft and enjoying the
amazing sights in the clear depths below. Bob excitedly pointed out a
group of six or eight big tarpon lazily wallowing about fifty feet
beneath them. And less than two minutes afterward, Paul, in no less
excitement, announced the discovery on his side of a big nurse-shark
which was rolling an eye at him from the ocean's floor. John pointed
out, from the bow, a great school of fish numbering possibly ten
thousand, which Mr. Choate stated were small mangrove-snappers. They
were parading up and down a stretch of coral shelf along the bottom,
and they made a wild dash and hid in crannies under the coral as a big
barracuda unexpectedly shot into their midst and grabbed one unlucky
snapper.

In a little while the fishermen were out into the open sea, and all
began to scan the pulsating bosom of the Gulf Stream with fresh
interest. Strange as it may seem, the fish of tropical waters do not
appear to have the slightest apprehension of danger from the noise of a
motor-boat, and one cannot only get very close to them, but can follow
them about and observe their movements without trouble, particularly if
he is familiar with their habits.

In a little while Mr. Giddings called the attention of all to a dark
shadow not far below the surface, about two boat-lengths on the
quarter. Mr. Choate promptly announced this to be a "herring-hog," a
species of porpoise, and ordered the boat turned that way.

The creature proved to be a full-grown herring-hog, weighing around
fou