70 ADVENTURES IN THE WILDERNESS. 



bles, and tlie dark water settled gradually into sul- 

 len repose. "Now," said John, "lengthen your: 

 line and cast at that patch of lily-pads lying under ■ 

 the hemlock there, and if a large one rises, strike * 

 hard." I did as desired. The flies, in response 

 to the twist of the pliant rod, rose into the air, 

 darted forward, and, pausing over the lily-pads, 

 lighted deftly on the water. Scarcely had their 

 trail made itself visible on the smooth surface, he- 

 fore a two-pounder gleamed out of the dark depths, 

 and rolling his golden side up to the light, closed 

 his jaws upon the white moth. I struck. Stung 

 by the pain, he flung himself, with a mighty effort, 

 high in air, hoping to fall upon the leader and 

 snap the slender gut. Dropping the point of my 

 rod, he came harmlessly down upon the slack. 

 Eecovering himself, he dove to the bottom, sulking. 

 Bearing gradually upon his mouth, the only re- 

 sponse I got was a sullen shaking, as a dog shakes 

 a woodchuck. Fearing his sharp teeth would cut 

 the already well-chafed snell, I bore stoutly upon 

 him, lifting him bodily up toward the surface. 

 When near the top, giving one desperate shake, 

 he started. Back and forth, round and round that 

 pool he flashed, a gleam of yellow light through 

 the dark water, until at last, wearied and exhausted 

 by his efforts, he rolled over upon his side and lay 



* This word is one employed by sportsmen to denote the 

 motion with which the fish is hooked. 



