"We've got on our heavy clothes, and this tropic sun is new to us," replied Ken. "Say, Hal--"
A crash in the water near the shore interrupted Ken.
"Was that a rhinoceros?" inquired Hal.
"Savalo," said George.
"What's that?"
"Silver king. A tarpon. Look around and you'll see one break water. There are some fishermen trolling down-stream. Watch. Maybe one will hook a fish presently. Then you'll see some jumping."
It was cool in the shade, as the brothers soon discovered, and they spent a delightful hour watching the river and the wild fowl and the tarpon. Ken and Hal were always lucky. Things happened for their benefit and pleasure. Not only did they see many tarpon swirl like bars of silver on the water, but a fisherman hooked one of the great fish not fifty yards from where the boys sat. And they held their breath, and with starting eyes watched the marvelous leaps and dashes of the tarpon till, as he shot up in a last mighty effort, wagging his head, slapping his huge gills, and flinging the hook like a bullet, he plunged back free.
"Nine out of ten get away," remarked George.
"Did you ever catch one?" asked Hal.
"Sure."