The Halibut 363 



some other way! If a shark would only take it ; if 

 the line would only break, or the hook ; but noth- 

 ing of the kind happened, the sockdolliger was 

 evidently enjoying itself, the season for man-fish- 

 ing had opened well, and the anglers among the 

 cod, haddock, lings, and halibuts were doubtless 

 watching the sport with open-eyed admiration at 

 the skill with which the game in a boat was being 

 played and made miserable. The end was near. 

 My "second wind" had come and gone, there 

 was no hope in sight, and theoretically I began 

 to look for a " soft place to fall." I believe this 

 is the correct expression. 



" How much did you say this fish is worth?" 

 I gasped, bracing my feet against the rail during 

 a particularly heavy plunge. 



"Why, I calculate a big fish like that's worth 

 twenty dollars," was the reply. 



" If that's the case, take the line," I said, to 

 show my magnanimity. 



" Oh, I don't want to spoil your sport," rejoined 

 the boatman. 



" That's all right," said I, airily. " I've taken 

 the freshness out of him." How I wished I had ! 

 How I despised that sullen brute at the bottom 

 of the sea ! 



