242 MOOSE-HUNTING, SALMON-FISHING. ETC 



been found. Just before the cast was made, 

 up rolled a bouncer after a little eel. It was a 

 satisfaction to know lie was there ; but not a 

 very encouraging motion for my fly, as, when 

 after eels, they don't fancy flies. However, 

 never venture, never have ; so the fly was 

 dropped very slowly over him and fished coax- 

 ingly, but did not move him ; then it was put 

 below him, drawn a little, stopped, drawn a 

 little further, stopped, drawn faster, stopped. 

 " There ! by George, he's got it ! Hurrah ! 

 well done ! " My work for the next half-hour 

 was cut out, as a wilder scamp my fly was 

 never fast to. He ran, he jumped, he scooted, 

 then jumped again, and, to cap the climax, he 

 turned over and over. Hold on, old splice ! 

 hold on, double hook ! Don't know what he'll 

 try next. These last performances I had heard 

 others speak of, but never had hold of a fish 

 that practised them. Certainly, if ever a fish 

 fought hard for freedom, this one did ; yet by 

 this time it could be seen he was yielding 

 rapidly. 



The water was strong where the boat lay, 

 and it was doubtful if he could be got up near 

 enough to gaff. There were some friends on 



