DAYS ON THE NEPIGON. 



rents that would knock the sluggish fish off 

 his feet and drown him forever and forever. 

 These schoolings and exercises have devel- 

 oped his muscles and confidence, and made 

 him the fighter he is. All his surroundings 

 have been conducive to vigor and activity. 



The fine line cut an invisible crescent in 

 the water, then sweeping tense and straight 

 toward a great black boulder, the rod never 

 in the slightest losing control nor allowing an 

 inch of slack; and bending all its energies, 

 worked relentlessly, watched and guarded 

 against every maneuver of the trout, divining 

 his well-planned schemes with the precision 

 and harmony of a master clock, responding 

 seemingly of its own volition to the erratic 

 movements of the fish, though he kept them 

 up to concert pitch. 



A whimsical fellow indeed, now balking 

 and treading water, then running away, and 

 again just skittish and shying like an un- 

 broken colt. Then comes a mighty tug, tug, 

 tugging; but the hook is remorseless in its 

 reckoning. Now begins a series of sharp, 

 32 



