130 The Angler's Secret 



blackfish frequent the spot you are at- 

 tending, but the weakfish do not come in 

 so close." 



A cunning smile and a peculiar nod of 

 the old angler's head tells me my advice 

 will be heeded, but not upon the instant ; 

 he has something at his bait a large 

 fluke it proves to be and he is playing 

 the fish skilfully, for his tackle is deli- 

 cate and his footing none too secure. 

 The fish tugs heavily and, to the old 

 man's astonishment, actually leaps out of 

 the water and skims over the surface like 

 a huge flat stone that is thrown to per- 

 form this service ere its weight will make 

 it sink from sight. The fluke and the 

 man battle for twenty minutes, but the 

 angler gains the victory, and I tell him 

 we shall have broiled flatfish if not planked 

 weakfish for our morning meal. 



Now the doctor removes his ounce 

 dipsy and flails in the milder water at the 

 creek mouth, and the crab meat, un- 

 hampered by any weight save that of 



