72 THE ANGLER AND HUNTSMAN 



at all in comparison with that bass. It sure was some 

 sprinter. Doc finally brought it to creel, however, after a 

 lengthy argument during which it was uncertain who would 

 win the joint debate. 



The next one tied on to my line. And it was one of 

 those fellows with a head full of fish sense. He struck 

 right out toward the boat, accumulating the necessary slack 

 line, then, with a mighty "flop, skip, and a jump" leaped 

 clear of the water and began shaking himself, trying to all 

 intent and purposes to shake the dratted hook out of his 

 mouth, but I saw what was up and gathered in the slack, 

 forestalling his bold attempt to escape. The effort of the 

 fish, tho' vain, was oft repeated, and more than once be- 

 fore I finally plunked him safe aboard boat it looked like 

 he had things "all his own way with a down-hill pull." 

 Gee! but it was a plumb beauty, too. Tipped the scales 

 evenly at four pounds,, one ounce. Some fish for these 

 waters, and every inch a fighter. 



But there was a comic role to be played that eventful 

 day, arid as fate would have it, Doc was the "goat." He 

 had been watching me land the prize with a jealousy ill 

 concealed, and when finally he got another strike he bent 

 all his energies to landing the fish that he hoped would 

 outweigh and outdo mine. 



He grasped the rod with both hands, thumb firmly in 

 place against the reel, all ready to snag Mr. Fish. 



Whow- whizz! wh-r-rrr! sang the reel, as the big fish 

 went on his w T ay liberty-bound. Finally, after successive 

 efforts, Doc turned him and then began the reeling in pro- 

 cess, ever watchful lest the fish should suddenly buck- 

 jump, or create slack line by running toward the boat. 



When the specimen was finally got on board ship, after 

 much effort and time, what do you reckon it proved to be i 



I looked at Doc and Doc looked at me. I was giggling, 

 he was frowning. Boys, he had caught a bloomin' water- 

 dog ! I shall never forget the look of gloom and utter dis- 



