THE TROLLEK S DAY. 215 



fore you found him at home. Now, by my watch, I 

 see he has hiid still seven minutes — very well ; but 

 have a little more patience. Oh ! now I see the line 

 shakes ; all is right. Ah ! he moves — ^he runs ! wind 

 up the slack line, turn the rod, that the winch may 

 be uppermost instead of underneath, and strike, but 

 not violently ; and keep the point of your rod a little 

 raised, for I have no doubt, by his laying so long still, 

 that he has got the hooks safe enough in his pouch : 

 he makes towards the middle of the river, and seems 

 inclined to go up stream. You say he feels heavy 

 and swims low j all is right again ; believe me, he is 

 a good Fish : I see there are some very strong can- 

 dock- weeds a-head, and he appears desirous of gaining 

 them 5 try and turn him, by holding your rod to the 

 left instead of the right, and lead him back to the 

 place from whence he started. That is still fortunate, 

 he turns kindly : ah ! now he strikes off again ; very- 

 well, let him go ; now, wind him again : again he is off; 

 steady, steady ; mind your line 3 do not distress it by 

 keeping it too tight on your Fish. Now he makes 

 shorter journeys, and seems inclined to come on 

 shore. Very well, you may now wind, and hold a 

 little tighter on him, and feel if he will allow you to 

 raise and show him 3 but be collected and careful. 

 That is well done ! I see, he is a Fish worth bagging 3 

 but keep steady, and have your line all free, for he 

 will, for a short time, be more violent than ever. Try 

 and lead him down to yon opening, at which place, I 

 see, the water is nearly on a level with the marsh (a 



