TO PLAY AND KILL JACK. 47 



now I see the line shakes; all is right ; ah he ffiovesy he 

 runs ;. wind up the slack line, 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 malkes towards^the 

 middle of the river, and seems inclined to go up stream. 

 You say he feels heavy and swims low ; all is right again, 

 believe me, he is a good fish ; I see there is some very 

 strong candock weeds a head, and he appears desirous of 

 gaining them ; 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 in again; 'again he is off; 

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

 keeping it too tight on your fish ; now he" makes shorter 

 journeys, and seems inclined to come in shore; v.ery well ; 

 you may now wind, and hold a little tighter on him.$ and 

 feel if he will allow, you to raise and show him, but be 

 collected and careful ; that is well done. I see he is a fish 

 worth bagging; but keep steady, and have your line all 

 free, for he will for a short time now be more violent than 

 ever. Try arid lead him down to yon opening, at which 

 place, I see the water is nearly on a level with the Marsh, 

 (a famous place indeed to land a fish, especially if the an- 

 gler is ajone and without a landing hook); he seems a 

 good deal weakened, .yet the danger is not all passed ; now 

 draw him nearer the shore, and again raise and dive, him 



