302 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 



help it. But if I must be recalled from the enchantment 

 of scenes which may never be reacted, bear with me for a 

 moment ; it is but the allotted time for a breather between 

 the heats the welcome respite before the final burst that 

 is to terminate the race. So it was in this instance ; the 

 strength, if not the courage of the regal foe, was weaker, 

 and each succeeding effort became less powerful. Many a 

 yard of line was again run out and safely restored to its 

 resting-place. Up and down both immolator and victim 

 traced and retraced their course; the one fearing to pur- 

 sue, the other momentarily becoming more unfit. Time 

 did its work, and, as in all things, brought the last scene 

 to a close. A shoal bank of gravel lay at my feet, and, giv- 

 ing my fish the butt, I drew him in toward Crosby, who, 

 ankle deep, stood beneath me in the cool, clear water, and 

 struck the gaff into the spotless silver side, and landed him 

 with the adroitness of one who had served a long appren- 

 ticeship to the trade. Don't imagine that there is no sci- 

 ence in handling a gaff; for one expert, many muffs will 

 be found. How, then, you may ask, did this sailor learn so 

 difficult a business in so short a space ? Probably because 

 he had a natural aptness; or, more likely, being a sailor, 

 he could turn his hands much sooner than persons of any 

 other trade to a business which required coolness and dex- 

 terity. 



This fish weighed over eighteen pounds, and was fresh 

 run from the sea, for he had not yet cleansed himself of the 

 sea-lice; his breadth and depth were enormous in propor- 

 tion to his length the best proofs of condition. In this 

 capture, from the time the fish was struck till I had him 

 floundering on the bank, full forty minutes elapsed, I hav- 

 ing noted time previous to making the first cast at the head 

 of the pool. 



On examining my tackle, I found that it had suffered 



