''OUT OF THE DEPTHS." 219 



for the scene of their antics, as they were like the famous 

 " bull in a China-shop." 



The "soft-shells" are frequently caught by the hook and 

 line, and for this purpose a large, strong hook and a stout 

 line are needful, the former baited with raw meat or, which 

 is quite as good if not better, bits of red flannel. Some- 

 times they are caught when the hook is dropped deep, but 

 more frequently when it is shallow, that is, very near the 

 surface of the water, if not actually on the surface. 



Where one's lake is near the house, so as to be easily 

 watched, it is a good plan to drive down a stake in as deep 

 water as can be conveniently done and then stretch a rope 

 from this 'stake to another nearer the shore. This rope 

 should be a foot or more above the water, and at intervals 

 of about three feet large hooks should be hung from it, 

 some on short, some on longer lines. Keep these hooks 

 permanently baited with meat or red flannel, and look at 

 the rope now and then to see if any thing is jerking at the 

 lines. If there is, jump in your skiff* or scow, take a sharp 

 hatchet along, and in a moment more you can haul your 

 prize on board before it has time to say " Jack Robinson," 

 or to practice 'Til bite you." Clip its head off" with one 

 quick blow, but remember that the latter is dangerous for 

 several minutes after becoming independent of its late 

 boon companion, the body! The jaws have considerable 

 muscular vitality left in them, and need but a touch to 

 close Avith unpleasant vigor on finger or toe. 



Sometimes the soft-shell gets caught in a manner as un- 

 expected to its captor as to itself, by snapping at an inno- 

 cent-looking little fish that has been prepared as bait for 

 trout ; and when this happens the result is very likely to 

 be "an elephant" on the hands of the angler ; for, when one 

 sallies forth to catch a peaceable fish, one is not often armed 

 to do battle with a ferocious enemy in the shape of a turtle. 



