continued, imploringly, as the fish drew him on in the water, in quick
but reluctant strides. "Oh! I'm gone!" he cried, when the water was
midway to his chin, and the fish pulling him along with increasing
rapidity.

"You are a good swimmer, Joe--be not alarmed, and you will not be
hurt," said Glenn, half inclined to laugh at his man's indescribable
contortions and grimaces, and apprehending no serious result.

"Ugh!" cried Joe, the water now up to his chin, and the next moment,
when in the act of making a hasty and piteous entreaty, his head
quickly dipped under the turbid surface and disappeared entirely.
Glenn now became alarmed; but, when in the act of divesting himself of
his clothing for the purpose of plunging in to his rescue, Joe rose
again some forty paces out in the current, and by the exertion of the
arm that was free he was enabled to keep his head above the water. The
current was very strong, and the fish, in endeavouring; to run up the
stream with his prize in tow, made but little headway, and a very few
minutes sufficed to prove that it was altogether unequal to the
attempt. After having progressed about six rods, Joe's head became
quite stationary like a buoy, or a cork at anchor, and then, by
degrees, was carried downward by the strong flow as the fish at length
became quite exhausted.

"Now for it, Joe--swim towards the shore with him!" cried Glenn.

"He's almost got my shoulder out of place!" replied Joe, blowing a
large quantity of water out of his mouth.

"I see his fin above the water," said Glenn; "struggle manfully, Joe,
and you will capture him yet!"

"I'll die but I'll have him now--after such a ducking as this!" said
Joe, approaching the shore with the almost inanimate fish, that was no
longer able to contend against his superior strength. When he drew
near enough to touch the bottom, he turned his head and beheld his
prize floating close behind, and obedient to his will.

It required the strength of both Glenn and Joe to drag the immense
catfish (for such it proved to be) from its native element. It was
about the length and weight of Joe, and had a mouth of sufficient
dimensions to have swallowed a man's head. It was given to the
ferrymen, who had witnessed the immersion, and were attracted thither
to render assistance.

"I suppose you have now had enough of the fish?" remarked Glenn, as
they retraced their steps homeward.

"I'll acknowledge that I'm satisfied for the present; b