48 THE TROLLER'S GUIDE. 



a little fresh air ; ah, now he is angry and growing des-> 

 perate; but keep steady, for I think we are all over right; 

 see how he extends his monstrous jaws, shewing his nume-^ 

 rous teeth, red gills, and capacious throat; observe how he 

 shakes his head and flings himself over and out of the 

 water, as if he was determined to break and destroy the 

 strongest tackle; but steady; keep all clear and free. 

 Now bring him near shore again ; still he shakes himself 

 violently, and has thrown another somerset in the air; It is 

 all very well ; give him a few turns more and he will be 

 tame enough ; now draw him close in shore ; I see he is 

 quite exhausted, and floats motionless on his side; hold his 

 head a little up, that the jaw or gills do not touch or hang 

 to a weed ; that is it ; now grasp him with both hands, 

 just below the head and shoulders behind the gills, and 

 hoist or chuck him a few yards on the grass; well done ; 

 and a handsome fish you have for your pains ; it is a 

 female Pike, I see, and in excellent condition, and I 

 believe it weighs eight pounds, at least. Now, my boy, 

 bag the fish, and put on another baited hook, for, I would 

 have you recollect, it frequently happens that you will 

 find a brace of Pike, in such a place as thiSj of a similar 

 size, though of different sexes. After a few throws, my 

 young angler had another run, and was fortunate enough 

 to kill the fish, which proved a male Pike, seemingly with- 

 in half a pound weight of the female. During the re- 

 mainder of this day's trolling, we bagged a third fish, about 

 four pounds weight ; I then said enough, do not distress 



