A DAT WITH MASCALONGE 



Well, diplomacy, persuasion, and importunity 

 were brought to bear, and after the strongest assur- 

 ance of its strength and reliability, and that I 

 would be neither displeased nor disappointed if I 

 hooked and then lost the largest mascalonge 

 through the breaking or failure of my tackle, or 

 my own inability to effectually handle and con- 

 quer this mighty pirate of the fresh waters, he at 

 last reluctantly consented to its use. 



With this concession and understanding, we set 

 out upon our return trip. Obeying the instructions 

 of Brissette, I paid out only twenty-five or thirty 

 yards of line. We carefully skirted the lily-pads, 

 gave special attention to the deep pools where the 

 water had cut away the banks of the river, and the 

 darksome reaches of water beneath the overhang- 

 ing growth of water-brush and other foliage. 



Mile upon mile we slowly covered, with expec- 

 tation constantly keyed up to intensest pitch, but 

 all to no purpose. We came in sight of the wide 

 and deep pool at the place of our departure, near 

 the end of the rapids, without any attack upon our 

 leviathan bait. 



Brissette's volubility had ceased some time since, 

 and anxiety was depicted upon his countenance. 



We were gently sweeping around the upper side 

 of the pool, when I ventured to say, 

 27 



