IN THE CATSKILLS 



I had a revolver in my pocket and might have shot 

 him through and through, but that novel proceeding 

 did not occur to me until it was too late. I would 

 have taken a Sam Patch leap into the water, and 

 have wrestled with my antagonist in his own ele- 

 ment, but I knew the slack, thus sure to occur, 

 would probably free him; so I peered down upon 

 the beautiful creature and enjoyed my triumph as 

 far as it went. He was caught very lightly through 

 his upper jaw, and I expected every struggle and 

 somersault would break the hold. Presently I saw a 

 place in the rocks where I thought it possible, with 

 such an incentive, to get down within reach of the 

 water: by careful manoeuvring I slipped my pole 

 behind me and got hold of the line, which I cut and 

 wound around my finger; then I made my way to- 

 ward the end of the log and the place in the rocks, 

 leading my fish along much exhausted on the top of 

 the water. By an effort worthy the occasion I got 

 down within reach of the fish, and, as I have already 

 confessed, thrust my thumb into his mouth and 

 pinched his cheek; he made a spring and was free 

 from my hand and the hook at the same time; for a 

 moment he lay panting on the top of the water, then, 

 recovering himself slowly, made his way down 

 through the clear, cruel element beyond all hope of 

 recapture. My blind impulse to follow and try to 

 seize him was very strong, but I kept my hold and 

 peered and peered long after the fish was lost to 

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