PUGNACITY. 15 



splendid condition, and, no doubt, the one that had 

 bitten my pike of the previous afternoon. As a 

 matter of saving time, where 2 and 3 Ib. jack keep 

 taking the lure, it is wise to shift to another place 

 ior experience has taught me that large and small 

 ones do not consort together, and that where small 

 jack abound, large pike are conspicuous by their 

 absence. A well-known angler has said, " The 

 pike is a systematic and professional marauder ; 

 he respects not his own kith and kin ; he prowls 

 up and down, seeking what he may devour ; and 

 he has no claim upon our consideration, except 

 as a furnisher of sport." Nevertheless, the pike 

 ranks high in the estimation of anglers as a 

 game and sporting fish ; for, when hooked on light 

 spinning-tackle, paternoster, or snap, perhaps 

 merely " lipped," and only feeling the restraint of 

 the tether, he fights strongly and pluckily for 

 liberty and life, and, being no mean antagonist, 

 when he does escape, deserves his liberty. 



