ction,
which upon being drawn to the surface proved to be an old branch, and
round a rugged part the line was just hitched. A sharp blow from the
rake snapped the bough in two, and the line was again at liberty, the
great fish being drawn to the side at the mouth of the pool, where the
water was only a few inches deep, and landed amidst a burst of cheers
from the delighted boys, while even Bob gave a loud "Hooray," though he
seemed rather sorry than otherwise that the water should lose so fine a
fish; but the "Hooray" was brought forth by the thoughts of a
prospective shilling which Mr Inglis would most likely give him, and
then perhaps he would have to carry the fish home as well, and get some
bread and cheese and ale up at the house.

So "Hooray," said Dusty Bob, with a most hypocritical countenance; and
"Hooray--ay--ay--ay--ay--ay," cheered the boys again; and there were no
end of epithets lavished upon the fish, such as "Beauty", "Monster,"
"Jolly one." etc, etc, for the admiration of the party seemed boundless.

Bob then had to carry the pike into the mill, where it was put into the
flour-scales and weighed, and found to balance nineteen pounds and a
half in the weight-scale--an announcement which was received with
renewed cheers; and upon measurement he was found to be two feet six
inches long; while of all the mouths that ever pike had, his seemed the
widest and fullest of long hooked teeth--projecting backwards, so as to
render it impossible for a fish to escape out of his jaws if once he
caught hold of it.

This brought the fishing to a conclusion for that afternoon; and so the
lines were wound up, rods disjointed and placed in their bags, and all
the rest of the angling paraphernalia collected into the baskets, while
one was expressly devoted to the fish. But now a new difficulty arose--
the chub could be got into the basket, but how about a pike two feet six
inches long? Then, too, Bob wanted to carry the pike right up to the
house--evidently meaning to make a show of it by the way, so as to be
asked to have a glass of beer or two for his trouble. But this was an
honour that Bob was not to have, for the boys were almost squabbling as
to who should have the duty. Fred, however, soon backed out, for while
touching the pike, and feeling its weight, it bent itself like a bow,
and then gave such a spring that he jumped away as thou eh be had been
shot, and directly waived all claims to the honour of carriag