ve the
necessary jerk to hook my fish. It is very different fishing for
pleasure, and fishing for the pot or spit when starving. Away went the
float bobbing down the stream. It must be done. I jerked up my rod.
How breathless I felt! The fish was hooked, of that I was sure, as also
that he was a good-sized fellow. Down the stream swam the fish, and
along the bank I followed him. I knew that my tackle was not over
strong, and I was anxious to secure a good place for landing him.

At last I reached a flat rock. "Now I will have him," I said to myself,
and I drew his nose up the stream. I got sight of him through the clear
water. He was a trout, three or four pounds weight at least. What a
hearty breakfast I would make of him! I felt very nervous, because as
there was very little bend in my rod, if he gave a sudden jerk he would
too probably snap the line or the hook, and be out of my sight for ever.
The water was somewhat deep below me, or I should have pushed into the
stream and clutched him in my arms, much in the same way as the bear
would have clutched me, if he could, and with the same object. Slowly
and cautiously I drew him nearer and nearer the shore. He came along
pretty quietly. He was pretty well exhausted with his previous swim.

Had I possessed a landing-net I could have had him ashore in a moment;
but I trembled when I thought of the little pliability there was at the
end of my stick to counteract any sudden jerk he might give. There he
was, scarcely six feet from me, and yet I could not reach him. I drew
him still closer, kneeling down as I did so, and then lowering my rod I
made a dart at him. He was quicker than I was, and with a whisk of his
tail off he darted, with the hook still in his mouth, dragging the rod
after him. I made a dash at the rod, but missed it, and away it floated
down the stream. After it I went though, watching it as it bobbed up
and down, and dreading lest it should catch fast among some stones, and
the fish break away. The stream was here narrow, deep, and rapid.
Lower down it was broader, and I hoped might be shallow. I ran on,
therefore, and found it as I had hoped. Down came the rod towards me.
"Was the fish on to it, though?" I seized hold of the butt-end and
lifted it up. Yes, there he was. He could scarcely escape me now.
Slowly I drew him up toward me, and slipping my fingers down the line,
eagerly seized him by the gills. I had him fast, and was no