132 



AMERICAN GAME FISHES. 



time the log had drifted ashore the fish was conquered, and 

 when at last we grounded, and disembarking from my uncom- 

 fortable craft I waded to dry land, I led the fish into a shal- 

 low pool of water where he was safe. I was soon rejoined 

 by my companions who had hurried around to meet me, 

 meanwhile watching the contest with much interest. 



"Ah," said Joe, as, panting and breathless he gazed upcn 

 the magnificent fish, "Isn't that a Jiatid crcdof'' 



The fish weighed upward of three pounds, and was by far 

 the largest taken during our stay. For still another day we 

 whipped the waters of the little lake, and before our depart- 

 ure on the following morning, we opened our corrals, and 

 gave liberty to nearly two hundred of our bright-hued cap- 

 tives. Our tramp homeward was without incident, and we 

 parted next day at the railway station. Since that trip we 

 never meet without some allusion to the big Trout of Penny- 

 royal Pond. 



