APPENDIX 



a wee bit disgusted to discover that the fish were 

 running smaller, and I mentally promised myself that, 

 if the third should be off another pound, I would quit, 

 urged to the decision by the constantly increasing 

 wind and roughening lake. 



The third minnow, a fine big sucker all of nine 

 inches long, was committed to the deep without cer- 

 emony and taken off by something before it had 

 reached the bottom; taken with a rush, too, that sub- 

 merged the float and ripped yard after yard of line 

 from the reel. I baited up once more, only half in- 

 terested in the game, for the waves were really too 

 obstreperous for my craft, and it was large and stable. 

 Hardly had the fourth minnow touched the water 

 than it was taken in a manner that left no doubt as to 

 the fish's intent. As the rod was not yet in the holder, 

 I gave the butt with all the force I dared, and no one 

 can convince me, however impossible it may be, that 

 I did not feel that hook go home. I knew I was fast 

 in a good fish. And the battle was on. 



Before I realized it I discovered that I was drifting 

 away from the weed-bed — that I was adrift. The 

 anchor rope had broken. It was just as well, for if 

 that fish circled the boat once, he circled it a dozen 

 times. My line was new and my hook, hand forged. 

 Neither did I tremble for the piano-wire leader. It 

 came from a tackle house whose name is a passport for 

 quality. The only thing that worried me was the 

 mounting sea, already well past the safety mark. I 

 would have given almost anything for a boatman. 

 For once it seemed that my go-alone proclivity had 

 gotten me into serious difficulty. Eagerly I looked 

 about for some chance boatman, without being re- 

 warded, and I told myself bitterly, *'You are the only 

 fool out here to-day." Fortunately the boat did not 

 upset, though the waves splashed in until everything 

 was soaked. The revolver I slipped into the pocket 

 of my waterproof coat in order that it might be dry 

 when needed, though I wondered if I should ever use 

 it. It was a great battle, not so much on my side as 



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