A Day on the Maquoketa. 



among the trees and caused them to die ; therefore the pond 

 was full of overhanging trees, dead branches, logs and stumps, 

 partially submerged, which afforded ample cover for the big 

 fellows who lazily loafed in their shade, expectantly waiting the 

 coming of some venturesome minnow, prowling crawfish or 

 unlucky frog. 



The first open water we entered we laid down the paddles, 

 put on a couple of minnows and tossed them overboard. Arthur 

 was the lucky fellow and hardly had his minnow struck the 

 water before his line started for the log dam, but he struck too 

 quick and lost both bait and bass. \Ye were anxious to reach 

 a spot near the head of the pond where Crosby (our champion 

 bass-fisher that season) had been catching some big ones. So 

 we pulled in our lines and paddled on up-stream. A half-hour's 

 rowing brought us to the spot, and, gently slipping the anchor 

 over the side of the boat, we put on minnows and settled down 

 to the morning's sport. 



It fell to my lot to get the first strike this time. With 

 fairly good aim I sent my minnow close in by an old half-rotten 

 log and anxiously awaited results. There was a miniature 

 whirlpool, the line straightened out and then went spinning 

 away at a lively rate. Mindful of Arthur's experience at the 

 dam, I waited until I knew that the greedy fellow had taken 

 the minnow well in his mouth ; then, with a sharp pull, I sent 

 the hook home. For a moment he seemed paralyzed with sur- 

 prise and came to the surface so willingly that I thought I had 

 hooked a small one, but was soon deceived. As if awakened to 

 the peril of the situation, he turned and made a bolt for a mass 

 of brush at the far end of the log. I held my breath for a 

 moment for fear he would tangle and get away ; however, I 

 managed to catch him before he reached the danger post and 

 turned him out into the stream. I gave him all the line he 

 wanted and was prepared to pay any draft he made upon my 

 well filled reel. Up and down, back and across the stream he 

 went darting for the roots when he felt the least slack. Once 

 I thought I had lost him, but he was only sulking and was off 



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