Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1886-09-14

nes, had permitted my entering into
discussion with Old Backskin l should
have told him that bis proposition was
one Of the mos, difficult things In the
world for me TO do. began to ask my
self the question. Why on earth doesn't
he die,
Az wa. fondly hoping ,hs, he was
abou, to give hi, las, gasp, he came to
the surface OF the water; saw In q mo.
m,nt that be was Determined 10 do some
mischief. had no fears Tor my personal
safety. for I knew that on dry land. a,
least, | would be a match for him. lie
evidently understood ,ha, fac, because be
did not attack me. ba, with a look OF
malicious malice. he turned towards the
Pacific ocean and down s,rvam be went.
was very much excited and ] suppose
canno, correctly estimate his rate OF
speed. ba, l, did seem 10 me % II be
wen, one thousand miles = minute. The
line hummed through the brass reel. !
tired to dig my heels into the hard soil
TO preven, my,elf being pulled into the
river, for | Was sa,i,fsd that the salmon
wa. determined upon my destruction.
At ,ha, critical moment the rod and reel
parted company. the former remaining
with me. while the latter followed the
salmon. looked on in mute despair
"why on Airih didn't ye lAsso him..
yelled a cowboy. and then the whole
crowd laughed and hovled 10 their hearts
corient.
| knew Il would be folly to ihink Of
pursuing my runaway salmon. and did
no, want 10 leave the Dalles until | bad
at least, landed one. 30 went in search
OF another outfit. This time secured a
.,ou, line with four big hooks fastened
on onc end and the other vas tied TO
shor, thick pole.
The man Of whom ! purchased. gave
me this advice; "1hsre. psrd, you Try
that and when you hook on TO one. no
matter how biz he i.. drive your heels
down and hold GA ThA, was good adj
vice. and once more began operations.
Fortune smiled upon me. | soon caught
and landed small ,iI FOUNDER. That
gave the new courage.
Ny nes, capture was no, 30 pleas
ant. salmon number three. TO use the
Language Of the man who helped me land
him, waA "ru,iler." lie Tough, for
freedom like hero. My hook bad taken
deep hold and the old fellow could no,
get away. ba, he was determined 30, TO
give up wi,hoa, struggle. and for thirty
minute. be made IL As di,sgreeable for
me a. he possibly could. IL va. some.
time, little doubtful whsihsr should
land him on the bank OF Ae land me In
the river; finally. however. bis efforts
became more feeble and his movements
l.bored and slow Then with grim de-
termination pull ed him 10. My near
e., neighbor assisted me in pulling him
upon the bank in a dying condition. he
va. the lArge., one caught ,ha, morn
ing. They sAii be would weigh fly
pounds.
When | lef, the fishing ground a, noon
80 many fish nAd been eaugh, that the
contractors had no, facilities for trans
porting them TO the canning factories.
and a. they were obliged to take all that
were eaugh, they had four iwo-hor'e
team. hauling them of in sr,A, loads 70
be used a, fertilizer upon their farms
mile OF two away.
Boy.. II you ever 20 to the Northwest.
a, Of course you will do no, fail TO visit
the Dalles Of the Colam bia. And II II
/, a, the nigh, season Of the year. be sure
aad try your hand at catching salmon.
TO.