Favorite Fish and Fishing

by James A. Henshall

The Darkeys and the Devil-fish

"Good Lawd! Wat is dat ting, mistah?"

"That's a devil-fish, Auntie," I replied.

"Fo' de lan's sake! It sho' luks lak de debble! Luk, Rastus; luk at his ho'ns and tail!"

Then turning to her daughter, she said: "Go 'way, honey; don't come anigh dat ugly varmint; he sho' swallow yo' or prod yo' wid his ho'ns."

U. S. Bureau of Fisheries.

Fig. 1. Florida Barracuda. (Sphyræna barracuda.)

Fig. 2. Northern Barracuda. (Sphyræna borealis.)

I assured her and the other terror-stricken darkies that no harm would befall them provided they did not approach too near. Turning to the fat woman, I asked: "When did you leave Kentucky, Auntie?"