Catching a Dolphin

As the sun sets, a dolphin takes the small line. Santiago works his way to the stern, pulls the fish in, and clubs it to death. The dolphin is golden with purple spots, and the old man notes its beauty. He decides to eat it later for strength. He also lashes two oars together across the stern to create a drag, hoping to slow the marlin during the night. The fish continues its steady pull, and Santiago feels a growing respect for it.