THE DOCTOR DOING BETTER. 73 



8. Hoot ! doctor, don't be too modest ; a man who has shot 

 wolves in the Black Forest, and killed salmon in the Dee and 

 Moisie, is not easily demoralized by a striped bass. 



Mbsier. Yes, doctor, you jist make a cast out into the Rifle 

 Pit, and do it right away, for I see by their whirls that they 

 are hungry. 



jS. See that your thumb-stalls are well on, and that your 

 line is clear. Now reel up so that your bait is within two 

 feet of the tip of your rod, and when you cast, hold your 

 thumb gently on the reel-line, and as the bait touches the 

 water, press your thumb on the line to check the reel at once, 

 and prevent the reel from overrunning. 



D. Well, here goes for a second trial. 



S. Very fair cast ; far enough for bass at this stage of tide. 



D. Ye ye es, I see it is, but then I shall not be able to 

 save him I know I can not, for he runs and pulls so like a 

 reindeer that I can not check him. There ! my thumb-stall 

 is loose, and I feel that my reel is not tight. He's gone ! I 

 knew 1 couldn't save him. 



S. Don't be so excited, doctor ; keep cool, and reel in your 

 slack line ; he is only studying a new dodge or making a new 

 tack. 



Mosier. He breaks water ; I seen him ; he's a scrouger ! 



S. There, doctor, you perceive he has hove to for a lunar, 

 and to discover how to tack ; there ! he is now laying his 

 course for Newport ; reel as fast as you can, and, if necessary, 

 run back, to prevent him from getting slack line. 



D. This last turn and the dash of spray nearly capsized 

 me. Why, he plays as strong as he did when he was first 

 hooked. 



S. How long do you suppose you have played him ? 



D. Nearly an hour, and he seems to grow stronger and 

 stronger. 



S. It is not yet fifteen minutes since you hooked him ; bear 

 up, keep cool, and keep your line clear on the reel, and be 

 prepared for his fight. They do not appear to be in a mood 



