t 
114 FISHING GOSSIP. 
’ New Chum. Now then—come out, my friend. Eh! 
what on earth have I got? Gracious Tweezer, it’s a 
turtle! 
Veteran. T could have told you that five minutes 
since. These fellows are often great nuisances, peg- 
ging away at the bait till they have sucked it off. I 
have caught dozens, mostly by the foot, where I see 
yours is hooked. If they swallow the hook it’s a 
horrid business. Even if you cut their heads off they 
bite hard, and hold their grip like bulldogs. 
New Chum. Well, I’ve cleared my hook; what 
shall I do with him? He doesn’t look promising for 
soup. 
Veteran. I never tried one, though I believe the 
blacks eat them. Turn him on his back for the pre- 
sent, and we can let him go when we leave the water. 
What are you baiting with now? 
New Chum. The inside of one of our fish, Billy 
cleaned them out before starting. I suppose to 
lighten his load. 
Veteran. Yowll catch fish with that, though per- 
haps not cod. What now? you seem to have gota 
rough customer. 
New Chum. Ay; this is something like a fish; 
but he pulls very queerly—keeps working dead 
astern, instead of taking a tack of his own. I can 
tell you he goes near to cut my fingers. 
Veteran. Your garbage bait has lured a big eel, 
