TWO DIANAS IN ALASKA 145 



hauled in almost to striking distance of the gaff, 

 which Ralph, who had also landed, held in readiness. 

 As if foreseeing his fate the salmon rolled over, 

 showing all his glittering scales and perfect propor- 

 tions, and then swam out of reach again. The 

 angler took to the water, wading waist-deep, and 

 dragging her prize along the beach-line drowned him 

 remorselessly. He was hauled in, and the gaff went 

 through him. 



How I admired that salmon, and yet there was 

 something unsporting in the glorious sport. The 

 shooting of pachyderms is merciful in comparison. 

 Of course the fish has no such complex system of 

 nerves, but his agony is so long-drawn, he has no 

 chance from the beginning. If he did break loose, 

 he has the hideous thing within to torture him 

 slowly to death. I like my quarry to stand as good a 

 chance of escaping me as I have of bagging him. 

 In this sort of salmon fishing the chances are all 

 against the fish, for the line is strong and the gut 

 very short. 



But the instinct of pursuit is strong in all of us, 

 and is part of the great scheme of Nature. 'Twas 

 but an incident, and I was as full of the lust of kill- 

 ing as any of them. 



How magnificent the fish looked as his thirty-two 

 pounds hung from the scales, his fins just quivering 

 as the rigor was overtaking him ! 



All about us the silver creatures flicked the water, 

 and at intervals monster fish jumped out of the 

 smooth sea, in frolic or in fright. 



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