A SCOFI'KR CONVKRTKI) 



289 



pounds when we let it clown, but when we 

 attempt to pull it up, as we lean over the 

 edge of the boat, trying to keep our balance, 

 we are convinced that the pesky thing went 

 clear to China and they have it tied there, 

 but at length by much tugging and hauling 

 we manage to loosen it; it gives suddenly, 

 and if we are not on our guard, away we go, 

 over the other side of the boat, and head 

 first. 



We pull it up, hand over hand, while the 

 water runs down our arms to our elbows, 

 thoroughly wetting our clothing, and when 

 the anchor is just at the edge of the boat, a 

 mighty heave and about a bushel of moss, 

 mud, etc., is dumped over our feet. 



But at last a start is made, and we row 

 around until we see a stick projecting out 

 of the water. "By gee! here's the place I 

 See ! some one has marked it . " In our eager- 

 ness to get to fishing, we cast the anchor 

 overboard, and it is a hundred to one the 

 coils of wet rope entangle some of our tackle, 

 wearing apparel or bait, and overboard it 



goes also; but never mind, the big string of 

 fish we shall catch will more than repay us 

 for the loss. But very soon, my dear fisher- 

 man, we must come to the conclusion thai 

 the moment we sighted the lake the fish saw 

 us, and sent out a general alarm, with five- 

 minute bulletins as to our position, bait, and 

 a general report on our piscatorial abilities. 

 The few we did catch on rare occasions were 

 only some of the weaker-minded or careless 

 who paid no attention to the reports. 



How often have we waited outside the 

 town till after dark, and then gone home the 

 back way — not that we were ashamed, but 

 our clothes are soiled and it is nearer. 



After a number of experiences like the 

 above I soured on fishing, and became a 

 scoffer at all things pertaining to the sport. 

 No amount of persuasion could get me on 

 the lake again to fish by these old methods, 

 but soon I began reading a little, and seeing 

 much of the results of that excellent sport, 

 bait casting, and still possessing the fishing 

 instinct, I bought a rod, reel, line and some 



Photo by L. J. Tool« 



MR. J. L. BURTON AND SOME FLORIDA BASS 



