90 THE SALMON FISHER. 



a second leap. Had the line been kept taut he would 

 have thrown his whole weight upon it and snapped 

 it in a twinkling. Now he is quiet again after that 

 futile effort. He seems submissive so let us shove 

 the but at him and try and tow him to the land. 

 Heel in firmly and watch carefully, for he may at- 

 tempt another jump. Lead him up to the beach 

 toward the gaffer, for there is a better chance to 

 land him there. 



Now, mark, good pupil! a critical juncture is at 

 laand. Although apparently a certain capture, do 

 not be too sure. Much depends upon your steadi- 

 ness and the dexterity and judgment of the gaffer, 

 and much upon the temper of the fish, which is not 

 always the dead cock he seems. Many a goodly sal- 

 mon has been lost after a hard-fought battle when 

 lie seemed fairly won. I have sometimes stood 

 breathless, watching a comrade heaving steadily on 

 Ms fish and gradually leading him to the shore, with 

 Ms rod almost bent double and the full length of the 

 beautiful white belly exposed to view, when the 

 clumsy gaffer floundered in knee-deep, and lunging 

 ^wildly, barely managed to scratch the struggling fish 



