$2 WHAT i HAVE SEEN WHILE FISHING 



needed, of exactitude in speed or the angle at which 

 to approach a blind rock so that the fish should 

 have the best chance. Neither had we, as is usual, 

 to turn back over a spot whence we had taken a 

 good fish, knowing that, there, others were likely 

 to be as willing as the too lucky one at our first 

 offering. A heavy hang on the line, a strong, 

 holding pull as good judgment permitted, a game 

 fight, the gaff, and so on and on, without inter- 

 mission, until lunch time. 



The absolute calm that prevailed enabled us to 

 land in a fracture of the mighty wall that bounds in 

 the ocean here. What glorious appetites we had 

 after such a morning's sport in such a place ! We 

 were made thirsty, too, by the sniff and taste of 

 Atlantic salt. The opening of the luncheon basket, 

 forgotten until now, was a matter of moment, and 

 I watched the operation until nearly all was emptied 

 out before my great thirst caused me to cry out as 

 I mopped my brow, " Surely we have the claret 

 with us ! " We had. 



Our stay, only just sufficient, was cut short by 

 the rising tide, and we were soon afloat again and 

 as busy as before. Now and then a heavy fish 

 would, in spite of the greatest strain possible, 

 succeed in regaining his weedy haunts, and we 

 had to back the boat over and beyond the spot 

 to which the line pointed, so as to be drawing 

 him out the way he entered. These variations, 

 not altogether unpleasant, made the only breaks 



