A NOVICE AT THE GAFF. 29J> 



ence the fish now headed up stream and permitted 

 himself to be somewhat controlled. At moderate pace 

 he retraced his steps and almost had got to where I 

 struck him, when, putting a little more strain on than 

 he admired, round he wheeled, and with his previous 

 velocity pointed his head again for the sea. Still, the 

 struggle had its effect ; this dash was not equal to 

 previous ones, and fifty yards of line brought him up. 

 For ten minutes it was give and take, back and for- 

 ward, up and down, till at last I brought him, all re- 

 splendent in his silvery armour, into shoal water. 

 " Now, Crosby, now's your chance ; careful, man ; 

 don't be in too big a hurry." But my advice was 

 disregarded ; the sailor made a plunge at the fish witli 

 the gaff as if it had been a harpoon, scratched the 

 salmon's side, and all my work was again before me. 

 The drawing of blood instilled new vitality into the 

 fish's veins, and the previously vanquished foe was 

 running out line as if he had been fresh struck. I 

 could not be angry; when a novice I had done likewise, 

 and, no doubt, my attendant had just made his virgin 

 effort. In fact, I could not help being amused at his 

 astonished countenance, for, doubtless, he had already 

 counted the fish as safe. This last struggle did not 

 continue long ; again I got him in shoal water, when, 

 having cautioned and instructed my excited attendant 

 as far as words could avail, he made a second effort, 

 and that correctly. Twelve pounds was the weight of 

 this noble salmon, and often have I found that those 

 of this size are more game and afford a harder fight 

 than larger fish. The strain on your rod is not so 

 severe or the contest so long as with a heavier anta- 

 gonist, but the activity and energy displayed are greater. 



