e sampled in all parts of the world could compare with the
trumpeter for flavour and delicacy. These qualities are well known to
the inhabitants of the large towns, who willingly pay high prices for
the scanty supply of these delicious fish which they are able to obtain.
Of other succulent fish there was a great variety, from the majestic
"grouper," running up to over a hundredweight, down to the familiar
flounder. Very little fishing could be done at night. Just as day was
dawning was the ideal time for this enticing sport. As soon as the first
few streaks of delicate light enlivened the dull horizon, a stray nibble
or two gladdened the patient fishermen; then as the light strengthened
the fun became general, and in about an hour enough fish would be caught
to provide all hands with for the day.

One morning, when a stark calm left, the surface of the bay as smooth
as a mirror, I was watching a few stealthily-gliding barracouta sneaking
about over the plainly visible bottom, though at a depth of seven or
eight fathoms. Ordinarily, these fish must be taken with a live bait;
but, remembering my experience with the dolphin, I determined to try a
carefully arranged strip of fish from one recently caught. In precisely
the same way as the dolphin, these long, snaky rascals carefully tested
the bait, lying still for sometimes as long as two minutes with the bait
in their mouths, ready to drop it out on the first intimation that it
was not a detached morsel. After these periods of waiting the artful
creature would turn to go, and a sudden jerk of the line then reminded
him that he was no longer a free agent, but mounting at headlong speed
to a strange bourne whence he never returned to tell the tale. My catch
that lovely morning scaled over a hundredweight in less than an hour,
none of the fish being less than ten pounds in weight.

The Maories have quite an original way of catching barracouta. They
prepare a piece of "rimu" (red pine) about three inches long, by an
inch broad, and a quarter of an inch thick. Through one end of this they
drive an inch nail bent upwards, and filed to a sharp point. The other
end is fastened to about a fathom of stout fishing-line, which is in
turn secured to the end of a five-foot pole. Seated in a boat with sail
set, they slip along until a school of barracouta is happened upon. Then
the peak of the sail is dropped, so as to deaden the boat's way, while
the fishermen ply their poles with a sid