176 A BED OF BOUGHS. 



element, but I knew the slack, thus sure to occur, 

 would probably free him ; so I peered down upon the 

 beautiful creature and enjoyed my triumph as far as 

 it went. He was caught very lightly through his 

 upper jaw and I expected every struggle and somer- 

 sault would break the hold ; presently I saw a place 

 in the rocks where I thought it possible, with such 

 an incentive, to get down within reach of the water ; 

 by careful manoeuvring I slipped my pole behind me 

 and got hold of the line, which I cut and wound 

 around my finger ; then I made my way toward the 

 end of the log and the place in the rocks, leading my 

 fish along much exhausted on the top of the water. 

 By an effort worthy the occasion I got down within 

 reach of the fish, and, as I have already confessed, 

 thrust my thumb into his mouth and pinched his 

 cheek; he made a spring and was free from my 

 hand and the hook at the same time ; for a moment 

 he lay panting on the top of the water, then, recover- 

 ing himself slowly, made his way down through the 

 clear, cruel element beyond all hope of recapture. 

 My blind impulse to follow and try to seize him was 

 very strong, but I kept my hold and peered and peered 

 long after the fish was lost to view, then looked my 

 mortification in the face and laughed a bitter laugh. 



" But, hang it ! I had all the fun of catching the 

 fish, and only miss the pleasure of eating him, which 

 at this time would not be great." 



" The fun, I take it," said my soldier, " is in tri- 

 umphing and not in being beaten at the last." 



