TIME TAKEN IN POUCHING. 171 



he may not feel the smallest control. Give him 

 time to swallow your bait, which he will do 

 almost instantaneously, if he be of a good size, 

 and not too full of other prey, as sometimes 

 happens. 



" In general a jack will lie quiet, whilst he 

 pouches the bait ; but if it be too large, or that 

 any other jack be in sight, he will run with it 

 until he can lie concealed, so as to turn and chuck 

 it about according to his fancy. You should 

 make it a constant rule to give abundance of time, 

 and not to be sparing of line, in the first instance ; 

 for though a large jack may bolt the bait as soon 

 as seized, the major part of them, more particu- 

 larly when they average from one to three pounds, 

 will require some time. Let them lie a few 

 minutes, say about four or Jive, and then so soon 

 as they move, strike and manage with caution. 



" If, however, after lying a minute more or 

 less, or perhaps two minutes, the jack runs again, 

 it may be prudent for you to strike ; especially if 

 he is intent on gaining a dangerous cover. In 

 this you must be guided entirely by circum- 

 stances ; for if the jack is obviously large, and 

 your bait small, there can be little hesitation ; 

 since in all probability he gulped it down with- 

 out difficulty ; but when you have reason to think 

 your bait is rather too large for the fish, you 

 cannot show too much forbearance, provided you 



