302 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 
help it. But if I must be recalled from the enchantment 
of scenes which may never be reacted, bear with me for a 
moment; it is but the allotted time for a breather between 
the heats—the welcome respite before the final burst that 
‘is to terminate the race. So it was in this instance; the 
strength, if not the courage of the regal foe, was weaker, 
and each succeeding effort became less powerful. Many a 
yard of line was again run out and safely restored to its 
resting-place. Up and down both immolator and victim 
traced and retraced their course; the one fearing to pur- 
sue, the other momentarily becoming more unfit. Time 
did its work, and, as in all things, brought the last scene 
to aclose. A shoal bank of gravel lay at my feet, and, giv- 
ing my fish the butt, I drew him in toward Crosby, who, 
ankle deep, stood beneath me in the cool, clear water, and 
struck the gaff into the spotless silver side, and landed him 
with the adroitness of one who had served a long appren- 
ticeship to the trade. Don’t imagine that there is no sci- 
ence in handling a gaff; for one expert, many muffs will 
be found. How, then, you may ask, did this sailor learn so 
difficult a business in so short a space? Probably because 
he had a natural aptness; or, more likely, being a sailor, 
he could turn his hands much sooner than persons of any 
other trade to a business which required coolness and dex- 
terity. 
This fish weighed over eighteen pounds, and was fresh 
run from the sea, for he had not yet cleansed himself of the 
sea-lice; his breadth and depth were enormous in propor- 
tion to his length—the best proofs of condition. In this 
capture, from the time the fish was struck till I had him 
floundering on the bank, full forty minutes elapsed, I hav- 
ing noted time previous to making the first cast at the head 
of the pool. 
On examining my tackle, I found that it had suffered 
