THE MASCALONGE IN WISCONSIN WATERS. 207 



yet." After passing over the spot twice and getting no strike 

 I proposed giving him up, but Mr. Thomas who had had 

 more experience than I, said, "No; we'll try him once more," 

 and as we passed over the spot a third time the old Esox 

 took my spoon with a terrific splash. 



"There you have him," said Thomas. I at once realized 

 that, and I had him sure enough. After a long and hotly con- 

 tested fight we took him in and went ashore. The four fish 

 weighed, respectively, thirty-eight, thirty and one-half, twen- 

 ty-nine and one-half, and thirty-three pounds, and a prettier 

 sight I never saw — those noble fellows lying side by side. 

 To say we were proud would illy express our feelings. 



