114 FISHING GOSSIP. 



New Chum. Now then come out, my friend. Eh ! 

 what on earth have I got ? Gracious Tweezer, it's a 

 turtle! 



Veteran. I could have told you that five minutes 

 since. These fellows are often great nuisances, peg- 

 ging away at the bait till they have sucked it off. I 

 have caught dozens, mostly by the foot, where I see 

 yours is hooked. If they swallow the hook it's a 

 horrid business. Even if you cut their heads off they 

 bite hard, and hold their grip like bulldogs. 



New Chum. Well, I've cleared my hook ; what 

 shall I do with him ? He doesn't look promising for 

 soup. 



Veteran. I never tried one, though I believe the 

 blacks eat them. Turn him on his back for the pre- 

 sent, and we can let him go when we leave the water. 

 What are you baiting with now ? 



New Chum. The inside of one of our fish. Billy 

 cleaned them out before starting. I suppose to 

 lighten his load. 



Veteran. You'll catch fish with that, though per- 

 haps not cod. What now ? you seem to have got a 

 rough customer. 



New Chum. Ay ; this is something like a fish ; 

 but he pulls very queerly keeps working dead 

 astern, instead of taking a tack of his own. I can 

 tell you he goes near to cut my fingers. 



Veteran. Your garbage bait has lured a big eel, 



