gives
way where two or three shoots meet, and thus the whole net is not
torn. The top cord or line of the net is called a 'cimline.' One
fisherman 'plugs' another when he puts out from the shore and casts
in ahead of him, instead of going to the general starting place, and
taking his turn. This always makes bad blood. The luck of the born
fisherman is about as conspicuous with the gill-net as with the rod
and line, some boats being noted for their great catches the season
through. No doubt the secret is mainly through application to the
business in hand, but that is about all that distinguishes the
successful angler. The shad campaign is one that requires pluck and
endurance; no regular sleep, no regular meals; wet and cold, heat
and wind and tempest, and no great gains at last. But the sturgeon
fishers, who come later and are seen the whole summer through, have
an indolent, lazy time of it. They fish around the 'slack-water,'
catching the last of the ebb and the first of the flow, and hence
drift but little either way. To a casual observer they appear as if
anchored and asleep. But they wake up when they have a 'strike,' which
may be every day, or not once a week. The fishermen keep their eye on
the line of buoys, and when two or more of them are hauled under, he
knows his game has run foul of the net, and he hastens to the point.
The sturgeon is a pig, without the pig's obstinacy. He spends much of
the time rooting and feeding in the mud at the bottom, and encounters
the net, coarse and strong, when he goes abroad. He strikes, and is
presently hopelessly entangled, when he comes to the top and is pulled
into the boat, like a great sleepy sucker. For so dull and lubbery
a fish, the sturgeon is capable of some very lively antics; as, for
instance, his habit of leaping full length into the air and coming
down with a great splash. He has thus been known to leap unwittingly
into a passing boat, to his own great surprise, and to the alarm and
consternation of the inmates."

* * *

The swelling river, into his green gulfs,
Unshadowed save by passing sails above,
Takes the redundant glory, and enjoys
The summer in his chilly bed.

_William Cullen Bryant._

* * *

I heard the plaintiff note of the Whip-poor-will from the
mountain-side, or was startled now and then by the
sudden leap and heavy splash of the sturgeon.

_Washington Irving._

* * *

=Germantown.=--Germa