212 



THE SWAN AND HER CREW. 



before they went under with that quick dash which characterizes 

 a perch's bite. 



" Here's a gudgeon in the bait-can," said Jimmy. " I will 

 put it on my hook and try for a big one. It may be tempting." 



He did so and threw it in. Immediately the float went under 

 water with such swiftness that he knew he had hold of a 

 big one and he struck, to find his rod bending double and 

 his line running rapidly off the reel with the rush of a large fish. 



"You have got a big one," said Frank. "Let him have 



line." 



Jimmy did so, until the line was nearly off the reel, and then 

 he was compelled to give him the butt. 



The line stood the 



PIKE 



strain, and the fish was turned and came back slowly and 

 sullenly, while Jimmy wound in his line. The fish allowed him- 

 self to be drawn up close to the yacht, and they saw it was a 

 large pike, and then it went off again. This time the rush was 

 not so long or strong, and after two or three rushes of lessening 

 power, the pike was drawn within reach. Frank unscrewed 

 the net and fixed the gaff-head on the stick, hooked Mr. 

 Pike through, and hauled him in. It weighed nine pounds. 

 Jimmy was proud of having conquered it with a light rod and 

 line not very well adapted for pike-fishing. 



Towards noon the wind began to rise, and as the clearness 



