CAPTAIN MOSIEE IN COMMAND. 71 



Mosier, bait the doctor's 'hook. I see luminous rays from 

 the God of Day, and he will make a splendid appearance in 

 ten minutes. Now, doctor, reel up your line, so that the bait 

 will be within a yard of the top of your rod, and make a cast 

 to the whirl which you see was made by a bass. Your reel 

 overruns? That is unfortunate. You should keep your 

 thumb on the reel, and check it as the bait drops on the 

 water. Mosier, bait my hook; I have put on a medium- 

 sized hook with a headed shank, and I am going in for the 

 fish refused by the doctor. 



Mosier. Mr. S.,jist cast along there in Snecker's Gap, for 

 they are reether sassy there on the young flood. 



S. Well, Mosier, here goes for a forty-pounder ! 



Mosier. There ! I told you so ; I knew that feller wanted 

 breakfast, an I guess he's got enough to last him. 



D. Mr. Mosier, as I have succeeded in getting my line out 

 of snarl, shall I cast now ? 



Mosier. Not quite yet, I guess, for there's no knowin where 

 that critter will yet lead Mr. S. 



D. Well, I will take a seat on the rock here, and look at 

 the play. Ugh ! that wave wet me all over. Is it not dan- 

 gerous to remain here ? 



Mosier. No, sir ; ony keep a look-out for them ninth waves; 

 don't git down toward a gulch, but watch where the waves 

 throw the most water when they break> for it allers depends 

 on the course of wind. 



D. I see your philosophy is correct, Mr. Mosier, and I have 

 now got a dry seat. Mr. Mosier, do you think that fish will 

 ever be landed ? He has run nearly all the line off the reel 

 already. 



Mosier. I can't say; there's no counting on them chaps 

 till they are landed, if so be you fish with a pole ; but if I 

 had him on my hand-line, I'd make him come humming, and 

 show no quarters. 



S. Mosier, keep my line away from the rocks with your 

 gaff, for he seems bent on rounding the Hopper Rock, and 



