It was unlike anything I had felt 

 before, instantly every nerve was 

 alert. There was no need to be told 

 I had a bite at last! 



Bert's excited face was in front 

 of me. 



"Hook 'im well," he cautioned. 

 " Now reel gently" 



The line grew taut, I could not 

 reel. 



"Ease him up, or you'll lose 'im," 

 coached Bert. 



The reel hummed and whirred as 

 it fed out. 



"Reel 'im up, or he will get too 

 much head," now came the mandate. 

 I felt rather helpless. How was one 

 to tell what was going on under the 

 water? 



I began to reel. The strain was 

 tremendous. It seemed as though 

 I must be towing the whale that had 

 been promised. 



"He's a whopper" announced the 

 expert, viewing my efforts critically. 

 " Must be twenty pounds. You'll 

 have to play him well. Now watch 

 he'll dash away any time. Be 

 ready to go with him. Quick reel 

 out! " 



