SALMON FISHING IN LABRADOR. 173 



drawn first blood. This fact brought my impatience 

 to boiling-point, and I could stand it no longer. Crosby 

 was instructed to throw a few stones above the fish, 

 and thus endeavour to start him from his retreat. 

 The first piece of rock had scarcely touched the water 

 when the object was attained. OS he went, with the 

 velocity of electricity, and the handle of my reel spun 

 round like the fly-wheel of an engine ; although I kept 

 a considerable check upon my line, still over ninety 

 yards must have run off, when, much to my satisfaction, 

 he broke water three times, the first time throwing 

 himself good three feet clear of his element. This 

 manoauvre, although frequently successful, pleased 

 me in one way. I was certain that his route would 

 now be changed, and probably I should succeed in 

 getting in some of my line. True to my former expe- 

 rience, the fish now headed up stream, and permitted 

 himself to be somewhat controlled. At moderate pace 

 he retraced his steps, and almost had got to where 

 I struck him, when, putting a little more strain on 

 than he admired, round he wheeled, and with his pre- 

 vious velocity pointed his head again for the sea. Still, 

 the struggle had its effect ; this dash was not equal to 

 previous ones, and fifty yards of line brought him up. 

 For ten minutes it was give and take, back and forward, 

 up and down, till at last I brought him, all resplendent 



