THE RIVER. 331 



might be deceived into the idea that he was 

 at liberty. Then I gave him a twitch, fol- 

 lowed by a strong, steady pull. It answered 

 fully ; for, making a rush from his last 

 stronghold, he dashed down the river with 

 the speed of a race-horse. Away went my 

 line, catching and raising a blister on my 

 finger, which I had not time to get out of 

 the way — away went I, following as quick 

 as I possibly could, for I had not a moment 

 to spare ; but, in spite of all I could do, 

 my fish was in a couple of minutes full a 

 hundred yards before me. I still pushed 

 on, and at last, when I had scarcely a yard 

 more of line to give him, my reel stopped, 

 and looking forward I saw the monster on 

 the surface of the water, but so distant 

 that it was impossible to judge of his size. 

 Turning him now was an easy task, and 

 his head once more up stream, with some 

 hundred yards of safe water before him, I 

 had for the first time a hope of being able 

 to land my fish. In fact, he made no more 

 exertion till I had brought him close in; 

 but on seeing Paddy, who was standing 

 ready for gaffing, he made one more gallant 

 effort, dashing right into the Tail of the 



