HIS MANOEUVRES. 165 



a clod or two of earth to throw between him and 

 the bank ; anything to drive him away ;* for all 

 along there are bad roots and stumps, especially 

 about fifteen yards from where I stand. Soho ! 

 He has shown himself not above eight or nine 

 pounds ; yet he plays well. How he cuts about ! 

 Now up the river ! You see he must, and will go 

 for the present ! There's twenty yards of line 

 run out " at a dash !" but I'll bring him round 

 again. 



Herb. Heavens ! what a terrific plunge ! I 

 thought he must have gone then altogether. He 

 seemed determined to break all, or pull you in. 

 I had no notion what a salmon could do. He 

 seems to tug like an elephant, so steady and 

 determined. Bravo ! this is beginning well, and 

 I am all alive again. I have the gaff all ready : 

 shall I come down to you ? 



Tlitoph. Mind you, he is not mine yet " first 

 catch your hare." There's plenty of game in 

 him, for these five minutes, as I never strain a 

 fish except he approaches a dangerous ground. 

 Now for a leap! 



Herb. Up he goes ! all's safe. How beauti- 

 fully exact to his motion you seemed to yield the 

 rod's point, and eased your line. 



Thcoph. As my pupil, take example. Come 



* As to fighting, and turning heavy fish, in a more scientific fashion 

 see post. 



