298 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 
and hooked a fine fish, who, as soon as he felt he was im- 
paled, rushed down into the still water. Not less than 
seventy yards did he run out at this burst, and when I 
thought I had turned him the scoundrel sulked and re- 
mained sullen at the bottom. I thought he was hooked 
strong, for I struck him quick and forcibly, and therefore 
felt confident, barring accidents, that he was destined to be 
mine. Slowly, but surely, I worked down stream, taking 
in with guarded hand every inch of slack that I could with 
safety. When abreast of him not over thirty yards were 
off my reel, and the ground was more than usually accessi- 
ble. With patience I waited some minutes, but I might 
just as well have been fast to a rock. Other salmon were 
leaping around me, and I could not afford the time to re- 
main inactive. I was determined to rouse my prize, and 
my anxiety increased when the sailor who accompanied me 
announced that the skipper had just landed a fish. In my 
excitement I had lost sight of my friend, but Crosby’s news 
recalled him. The captain had drawn first blood. This 
fact brought my impatience to boiling-point, and I could 
stand it no longer. Crosby was instructed to throw a few 
stones above the fish, and thus endeavor to start him from 
his retreat. The first piece of rock had scarcely touched 
the water when the object was attained. Off he went with 
the velocity of electricity, and the handle of my reel spun 
round like the fly-wheel of an engine; although I kept a 
considerable check, still over ninety yards must have run 
off, when, much to my satisfaction, he broke water three 
times, the first time throwing himself good three feet clear 
of his element. This mancuvre, although frequently dan- 
gerous, pleased me in one way. I was certain that his route 
would now be changed, and probably I should succeed in 
getting in some of my line. True to my former experience, 
the fish now headed up stream, and permitted himself to be 
