TROLLING FOR PIKE. 133 



VI. 



Away, away, he'll take his fling! 

 'Tis hard to snap a slackened string; 



I'll teaze him when he blows. 

 See there, he stops to breathe, again 

 The strong stiff rod puts on the strain, 



And leaves him no repose. 



VII. 



Another plunge! but feebler much; 

 I hold him with a firmer clutch, 



And play him nearer shore : 

 The strong hook fixed with murderous grasp, 

 Lifts him in sight; and see that gasp, 



Tells he can fight no more! 



vm. 



The struggle 's o'er, the work is done ; 

 All bootless every^frantic run ; 



In vain he strains the line : 

 Ah ! ah ! I feel I have him fast : 

 And look, I've landed him at last; 



He's mine! He's mine! He's mine! 



When the last struggles of the pike are over, lift him 

 gently out of the water. Some recommend landing-nets, 

 gaffs, etc. etc., for this purpose. For our own part we 

 have always found our gimp strong enough to effect this 

 object, when the fish is fairly done up: and we have 

 caught some famous fellows in our time. Some put their 

 fingers into the pike's eyes ; and others which is, per- 

 haps, after all the best way play him to some shallow 

 place, and run him up the shelving side. Whatever you 

 do, however, never put your hand near his mouth. His 

 teeth are formidable weapons and he bites like a crocodile. 

 Let him go, sooner than let him get hold of your finger. 

 Gaffs and landing-nets, are troublesome things to carry 

 long distances; and anglers should encumber themselves 



