CATCHING A TARTAR 85 



The line was running out swiftly, so that 

 we had to move as quickly to get it into the 

 notch in the stern, which we had wisely 

 thought to make. Then I seized an oar and 

 placed it for steering, while we both got posi- 

 tions to trim the boat. What we feared was 

 that, when he had run all the line out, if the 

 boat was motionless, something might break ; 

 so to obviate that, my friend succeeded in grasp- 

 ing the line partially, and thereby gradually 

 starting the boat, while I helped by sculling, 

 so that by the time it was all off the reel, she 

 was moving faster than ever she did before, 

 and it is doubtful if she ever did after. The 

 fish kept up the pace for at least ten minutes, 

 towing us directly into the harbour; then 

 he made a jump, turned, and took us straight 

 back for the fishing grounds. The men in 

 their boats had been watching us with great 

 interest, not supposing fpr a moment they 

 were to have any part in it, but when they 

 saw us going directly for them, the shouting 

 and hooting and swearing that suddenly 

 started from them would have been laughable 

 to any disinterested spectators, but we could 

 see plainly that, if he continued the course he 



