THE OCTOPUS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 1, Issue 46, 10 January 1880, Page 3

THE OCTOPUS.

(From the IVarmvnbool Standard of 29111 Dec.) Another devil-fish ! On Friday evening last, when the tide was very low, Mr. Fred. Lincoln was amusing himself as he could go with safety, by catching what is known as mutton fish. Under the ledge of a rock he saw one of these largo shell fish, and with a knife he was laboring hard to get it off the rocks, when suddenly he felt something grasp him by the hand. Ho became alarmed, and being a stout able fellow he put forth his strength and quickly got his hand free from the unfriendly grip of the octopus. Some friends were a short distance away, and he hailed them, after which they examined around the particular rock, with a view of getting a glimpse of the spoiler of their sport. In a little while they saw a part of one of the feelers come out from under the rock. Lincoln, feeling rather annoyed at the unfriendly grip he had received, seized the large knife he had been using to detach the shellfish from the rocks, and baring his arm made a dart at the feeler with Ills weapon. He evidently struck the devilfish, for in an instant, and almost before Lincoln could recover himself, the ugly monster exhibited three or four arms, each oy.er three feet in length, and appeared bent on laying hold of something. However, this exhibition on the part of the octopus caused Lincoln and his friends to consider that discretion was the bettor part of valor > and accordingly they left the spot and also their mutton fish. It might have boon a serious matter had Lincoln been alone, if this devil-fish had got a fair hold of him. In an hour or so the tide would have risen, and he would have been firmly held, and of course drowned. They are ugly customers to deal with, especially if they get hold of one when in the water.