THE ANGLERS SOUVENIR. 



277 



to the end. Then seventy yards away there was 

 a huge "boil" at the top of the water, and the 

 strain on the rod slackened. 



" Hurrah ! there he is. He is beginning to give 

 in. It will only be a short time now." 



My friend was right. Little by little I wound 

 in my line, and nearer and nearer the monster 

 came. At last we could distinctly see him rushing 

 and wallowing about with widely-distended mouth, 

 in the clear water. In length he was about five 

 feet, and his weight, it is clear, must have been 

 eighty pounds. What a proud man I felt at that 

 moment ! All my hopes were on the point of being 

 realised. I drew him slowly and carefully in, and 

 my friend struck the gaff into him, and then our 

 united efforts 



" Hallo ! what's that knocking for ? " 



" Here's your hot water, sir, and breakfast will 

 be ready in half an hour." 



"Oh, murder! where is the big pike?" I ex- 

 claimed, looking about. Alas ! it was only a dream. 



I had very good sport that day and the following, 

 but not a fish was over ten pounds in weight, and my 

 big pike has yet to be caught. 



