168 THE SOUTH BAY. 



a wise purpose, permitted to triumph over it. In 

 vain did the unfortunate deacon renew his baits, 

 change the depth of his sinker, fish on the bottom or 

 near the top ; the result was the same. His irritation 

 increased and broke forth into ejaculations of impa- 

 tience, and a sudden desire to move to some other 

 spot. 



"There seem to be no fish here, we had better 

 try a new place," he said pettishly. 



"I am doing very well, and doubt whether we 

 could better ourselves," replied his associate witli 

 that hilarity that success engenders, landing two 

 bright little bass at once. 



" You do not call that good fishing, they are mere 

 sprats. I have taken many a bass of twenty-four 

 pounds, and two of over fifty." 



" But you know the run is always small in this 

 month." 



" Of course I know that ; but I never saw such 

 luck, you must have taken twenty, such as they 

 are." 



" More than twenty, thirty at least ; but perhaps 

 we had better change places, I have taken more 

 than I want and you had better try your hand." 



After some demur and a coquettish but half sulky 

 refusal to deprive him of his " good luck," Mr. 

 Goodlow complied with his friend's suggestion, but 

 wonderful to say the luck changed at the same time ; 

 the fish all fled to the stern of the boat and were 

 landed there faster than they had been previously 

 over the bow. In fact, one line seemed to be 



