298 PRATRIE AND FOREST. 



I had turned him the scoundrel sulked and remained 

 sullen at the bottom. I thought he was hooked strong, 

 for I struck him quick and forcibly, and therefore felt 

 confident, barring accidents, that he was destined to 

 be mine. Slowly, but surely, I worked down stream, 

 taking in with guarded hand every inch of slack that 

 I could with safety. When abreast of him not over 

 thirty yards were off my reel, and the ground was 

 more than usually accessible. With patience I waited 

 some minutes, but I might just as well have been fast 

 to a rock. Other salmon were leaping around me, and 

 I could not afford the time to remain inactive. I was 

 determined to rouse my prize, and my anxiety in- 

 creased when the sailor who accompanied me an- 

 nounced that the skipper had just landed a fish. In 

 my excitement I had lost sight of my friend, but 

 Crosby's news recalled him. The captain had drawn 

 first blood. This fact brought my impatience to 

 boiling-point, and I could stand it no longer. Crosby 

 was instructed to throw a few stones above the fish 

 and thus endeavour to start him from his retreat. 

 The first piece of rock had scarcely touched the water 

 when the object was attained. Off he went with the 

 velocity of electricity, and the handle of my reel 

 spun round like the fly-wheel of an engine ; although 

 I kept a considerable check, still over ninety yards 

 must have run off, when, much to my satisfaction, he 

 broke water three times, the first time throwing him- 

 self good three feet clear of his element. This ma- 

 noeuvre, although frequently dangerous, pleased me in 

 one way. I was certain that his route would now be 

 changed, and probably I should succeed in getting 

 in some of my line. True to my former experi- 



