The rod bends and "He has gone!* I cry. "No, 

 he is on ; he is coming back ! * Down the river he 

 rushes, darting across the current and disappearing 

 to sulk in thirty feet of water. 



Dropping below the fish, we cross to the other 

 side, and, paddling up-stream, hold the canoe in 

 readiness beside the ledge. 



" To win thy smile I speed from shore to shore, 

 While Hope's sweet voice is heard in ev'ry breeze.* 



" He can't stand that strain much longer, Mr. 

 Davis." 



" Nor I, either, James. Look at the tip ; it is three 

 feet under water." 



" Don't let up, sir ; he will soon give in. Yes, 

 there he comes now ! " 



Slowly the rod is raised, and, looking down into 

 the depths of that deep pool, I see a bright form 

 boring steadily downward. 



"Now he's coming up, sir; pull a little harder." 



Gradually the huge fish comes to the surface 

 and, with a tremendous leap, tries for the current ; 

 but the struggle has been too severe : the spark of 

 life has fled. So, gently drawing this beautiful 

 creature toward me, I thrill with joy when the 

 river-goddess finds a safe resting-place in my 

 canoe. 



" Have you ever seen so large a salmon, James ? w 

 143 



