298 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 



and hooked a fine fish, who, as soon as he felt he was im- 

 paled, rushed down into the still water. Not less than 

 seventy yards did he run out at this burst, and when I 

 thought I had turned him the scoundrel sulked and re- 

 mained sullen at the bottom. I thought he was hooked 

 strong, for I struck him quick and forcibly, and therefore 

 felt confident, barring accidents, that he was destined to be 

 mine. Slowly, but surely, I worked down stream, taking 

 in with guarded hand every inch of slack that I could with 

 safety. When abreast of him not over thirty yards were 

 off my reel, and the ground was more than usually accessi- 

 ble. With patience I waited some minutes, but I might 

 just as well have been fast to a rock. Other salmon were 

 leaping around me, and I could not afford the time to re- 

 main inactive. I was determined to rouse my prize, and 

 my anxiety increased when the sailor who accompanied me 

 announced that the skipper had just landed a fish. In my 

 excitement I had lost sight of my friend, but Crosby's news 

 recalled him. The captain had drawn first blood. This 

 fact brought my impatience to boiling-point, and I could 

 stand it no longer. Crosby was instructed to throw a few 

 stones above the fish, and thus endeavor to start him from 

 his retreat. The first piece of rock had scarcely touched 

 the water when the object was attained. Off he went with 

 the velocity of electricity, and the handle of my reel spun 

 round like the fly-wheel of an engine ; although I kept a 

 considerable check, still over ninety yards must have run 

 off, when, much to my satisfaction, he broke water three 

 times, the first time throwing himself good three feet clear 

 of his element. This manoeuvre, although frequently dan- 

 gerous, pleased me in one way. I was certain that his route 

 would now be changed, and probably I should succeed in 

 getting in some of my line. True to my former experience, 

 the fish now headed up stream, and permitted himself to be 



