Chapter 48

Something Under The Surface

Not to omit an occurrence of considerable interest, we must needs
here present some account of a curious retinue of fish which overtook
our Chamois, a day or two after parting with the canoe.

A violent creaming and frothing in our rear announced their approach.
Soon we found ourselves the nucleus of an incredible multitude of
finny creatures, mostly anonymous.

First, far in advance of our prow, swam the helmeted Silver-heads;
side by side, in uniform ranks, like an army. Then came the Boneetas,
with their flashing blue flanks. Then, like a third distinct
regiment, wormed and twisted through the water like Archimedean
screws, the quivering Wriggle-tails; followed in turn by the rank and
file of the Trigger-fish--so called from their quaint dorsal fins
being set in their backs with a comical curve, as if at half-cock.
Far astern the rear was brought up by endless battalions of Yellow-
backs, right martially vested in buff.

And slow sailing overhead were flights of birds; a wing in the air
for every fin in the sea.

But let the sea-fowls fly on: turn we to the fish.

Their numbers were amazing; countless as the tears shed for
perfidious lovers. Far abroad on both flanks, they swam in long
lines, tier above tier; the water alive with their hosts. Locusts of
the sea, peradventure, going to fall with a blight upon some green,
mossy province of Neptune. And tame and fearless they were, as the
first fish that swam in Euphrates; hardly evading the hand; insomuch
that Samoa caught many without lure or line.

They formed a decorous escort; paddling along by our barnacled sides,
as if they had been with us from the very beginning; neither scared
by our craft's surging in the water; nor in the least sympathetic at
losing a comrade by the hand of Samoa. They closed in their ranks and
swam on.

How innocent, yet heartless they looked! Had a plank dropped out of
our boat, we had sunk to the bottom; and belike, our cheerful retinue
would have paid the last rites to our remains.

But still we kept company; as sociably as you please; Samoa helping
himself when he listed, and Yillah clapping her hands as the radiant
creatures, by a simultaneous turning round on their silvery bellies,
caused the whole sea to glow like a burnished shield.

But what has befallen this poor little Boneeta astern, that he swims
so toilingly on, with gills showing purple? What has he there, towing
behind? It is tangled sea-kelp clinging to its fins. But the clogged
thing strains to keep up with its fellows. Yet little they heed. Away
they go; every fish for itself, and any fish for Samoa.

At last the poor Boneeta is seen no more. The myriad fins swim on; a