CHAPTER II 



THE PIKE OF FACT 



THE legendary treatment of pike has, it might not 

 inaptly be said, become a habit with us. The fish 

 story has not a little unjustly become a synonym of 

 impudent mendacity. But there is no need to enter 

 into an inquiry as to why this misfortune should be 

 fastened upon a class of sportsmen who, on the 

 authority of sweet-natured Izaak Walton, are all 

 honest men. One reason, of course, is the large 

 margin left for speculation by circumstances over 

 which we have no control. The lost fish is always 

 forsooth and very properly the biggest, and there 

 need be no limit within reasonable bounds to the 

 dimensions of* the monster that breaks away from 

 your line. The pike is a most convenient fish for 

 the exercise of imagination. He is frequently caught 

 unexpectedly on tackle wholly unsuited for the work, 

 and so abruptly severs the bonds that hold him. 



