THE THICK OF THE FIGHT. 89 



had resolved to break away from him he suddenly 

 doubled, making straight for the punt we hauled in 

 the loose line in coils at our feet as actively as was 

 practicable under the circumstances the next instant 

 he dashed off with renewed vigour at right angles, 

 and we again strained heavily upon every foot he stole, 

 despite which our whole stock was all but spent 

 before he again turned. For more than an hour was 

 this operation of hauling in and paying out line 

 repeated without ceasing, at the end of which time 

 the final tragic end seemed as remote as ever. By 

 this time several stable functionaries from the adjoin- 

 ing mansion arrived upon the scene, among whom a 

 learned controversy ensued as to the probable weight 

 and breed of a fish capable of towing a man and a 

 boat with impunity. As the fish swerved along shore 

 in their immediate proximity all dispute suddenly 

 dropped, and we observed, what had previously 

 escaped our notice, namely, a large stable fork in 

 the possession of a bandy-legged individual who had 

 stepped forward, fork in hand, ready for action. 

 Before we could interfere a wild thrust was made, which, 

 however, fell short of the mark, as may very easily be 

 imagined ; nevertheless it well nigh ended the fight, 

 the terrified fish making for less dangerous quarters 

 at a rate that eclipsed all previous exploits, the 

 pressure upon the line availing little beyond keeping 

 the snout of the fish above the water's surface. The 

 winch " whirred " loudly, notwithstanding the deeply 



curved sturdy rod. " Hark how the d 1 squeals !" 



exclaimed the crooked individual in possession of 



