42 THE PIKE 



alongside the boat, secured, and relegated to the well. 

 One of the rules on the lake was that only three fish 

 were to be carried away ; another that all under 5 Ib. 

 were to be returned to the water. 



Throwing out a second bait, I just contrived to fill 

 that pipe, but had no time to fasten up the pouch 

 before down went the float again, quietly as before. 

 Presently it began to slide off in a slanting direction ; 

 this time it was a 5~lb. fish that came to net. It is 

 very hard to know what to do under such rules as 

 those which controlled us. When there is no well in 

 the boat you have to decide at the moment about 

 retaining or returning your fish. It is an anxious 

 crisis ; you may never get another, or quite towards 

 the close of the day you may find something very 

 heavy to make up your leash. It is rather a relief, 

 therefore, in one sense, when there is no room left 

 for doubt; back consequently went the 5-pounder. 

 Number three fish was still smaller with summary 

 jurisdiction. The fourth bait had not been out five 

 minutes before it disappeared a little more briskly 

 than had happened before, the marauder being a pike 

 of 7 Ib. which played on a tight line in a most divert- 

 ing way, appearing all the time to be standing on his 

 head, and viciously biting at the bottom as he darted 

 hither and thither. 



