Sporting Sketches in Pen and Pencil. 



" Thus assured, J. put the fish on somehow, and, pitching it out with a 

 tremendous splash into the very middle of the cut, waited the event. Of 

 course the float went down at once. 



" Ain't the halt strong ? That's 'ow I likes to see 'em ; and don't he 

 keep the float down? Jiist tighten the line or he'll he getting foul o' 

 weeds." J. did so, and there was a fierce jag at the rod point. 



" Why, that ain't the halt ; something's took the halt already," 

 said J., quite excited, as the line hegan to cut the water slowly, the 

 fish moving up towards a big bank of weeds and rushes about twenty 

 yards above. 



" That's the big 'un, for a million. I see him lay there at the tail o' them 

 weeds once or twice last week ; he must 'a took it as soon as ever it fell in 

 the water. Give him plenty o' time sir, plenty. Don't worry him whatever 

 you doo's. Let 'n get the 'ooks well in his guUet. Eat my ducks will 'e, 

 ye ould varmint ? Jest you swaller that nice little great-great-grandson 

 o' yourn, that's all;" and the fish evidently meant to, for he laid up at the 

 taQ of the weeds quietly pouching for nearly a quarter of an hour, while J. 

 stood watching, all of a twitter. 



Presently the fish showed an inclination to move, and as he was coming 

 out from his lair into the cut J. let him have it. The stroke was a shrewd 

 one and hurt, for the pike made one dart clean through the reed and 

 rush bed, mowing them down as if with a scythe. Fortunately, J.'s 

 line was stout and new, and the tackle stood it. When he came out 

 into the stream, he made tracks rather, and took out forty or fifty yards 

 of line at a dash ; but the stream was pretty clear, the tackle sound, and 

 the hold certain — at least, as Alfred said, "he'll turn hisself inside out 

 afore he gets rid of them hooks." Then he began dropping down the 

 cut with a short dash and a heavy drag, every now and then towards 

 the bucks, which were seventy or eighty yards below. 



"Drat 'im; take care ye doesn't lev'n get near the bucks, or he'll break 

 ye on them piles as sure as fate, for they're full o' rusty old nails." 



J. did his best, and fought a good fight, but five and thirty pounds 

 is five and thirty pounds, and you can't do as you like with it. The 

 fish was obstinate, and meant going for the bucks ; and, in spite of 



