234 MOOSE-HUNTING, SALMON-FISHING, ETC 



position, and would end the trouble by jump- 

 ing into the boat. That line is coming in as 

 fast as it can be gathered, and the prospects 

 for gaffing so favourable that that instrument 

 was placed against my chest and the gunwale, 

 ready to be grasped in an instant. He is only 

 about 8 feet away, and still coming ; now is 

 the chance. But no, you don't not yet ; and 

 off he scoots down the river. The moment 

 he took in the outline of the boat, away he 

 started. I had observed the hooks were 

 solidly placed, and my double cast back of 

 that, so I did not fear for the result, although 

 it was a wearisome as well as exciting pastime. 

 The fish was beginning to falter, and was quite 

 a distance below me, while the stream was too 

 strong where the boat was to hope to get him 

 up again; so while he was resting, the rod 

 and line were held in the left, the killock, 

 through the right and my feet, was raised, 

 and the boat dropped close to him, where the 

 river was wider, the water less swift, and the 

 chances for handling him more successfully 

 and quickly greatly improved. Now, my 

 lad, this question of conqueror has to be 

 settled right off; so here is at you : my line is 



