How does the old man kill the great marlin Earnest Hemingway - tells a tense sea hunt with care in The Old Man and the Sea Santiago faces a giant marlin alone at sea He is old yet his spirit stays firm His skill patience and will guide each step The kill comes after long pain and trial It demonstrates skill courage and profound respect Long Trial The fish tows the skiff for three days Santiago holds the line with bleeding hands He eats little and fights sleep and cramps He whispers Fish I ll stay with you until I am dead This vow keeps his mind fixed on work He cuts other lines to guard the main line The long trial slowly weakens the great fish Final Circling At sunrise the marlin begins slow circles Santiago gains line inch by inch carefully timed He studies pull slack and the