Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-10-25
HOW THE BASS TELLS IT.
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY OF
WHY THE FISH GOT AWAY,
The Angler Never Fails to Boast Of His
Own Prowess-Now Let a Ftnny Veteran
Tell How He Wasn't Caught and Lied

|
About by 1lan with . Rod and Line.
| Imagine, for the moment, for the sake of
| justice and fair play. that fishes are able to
| exchange ideas by means Of speech among
| themselves, and that at certain favored
times, as we remember reading Of in our
childhood's perusal Of the Arabian Nights it
is possible for rnortals to hear and understand
their language Let it be the privilege, too,
of somebody strolling beside we'll stocked
fishing stream to overhear some such col
loouy among school of black bass as follows
below. Imagine the listener to be gazing
into the depths of deep basin In the channel
Of the river when he is astonished by the
sound of queer voice from under the sur
face Of the water, exclaiming:
HOW HE STOLE THE BAIT.
"Didn't triumph over that poor fisher
mans
Further permit the favored individual,
looking down still more intently into the
water, to distinguish clearly a school Of
black bass suspended in the liquid element
near the bottom, winnowing with their fins,
heads up stream, and among them particu-
larly large one, vigorously working bis glls.
The crowd of lesser fish seem to be held in
rapt attention to hear an interesting story
which the greater bass is about to tell ANY
one who has ever hung over clear running
stream from bridge or bank and has seen
groups Of fish below viii recall how invaria-
bly, the little ones in school gather admir-
ingly around the bigger ones, just as people
do in human society. Immediately let the
smaller voices, replying, be heard to say in a
chorus, Should think you dbl Tel us how
it happened We were watching you"
''Well, you see," let the stronger voice pro-
ceed, with the readers indulgence, 81 am
pretty big bass l weigh about Eve pounds,
and l 1atter myself that | am as active as
am big. This afternoon, you know, being
hungry, began to look about for provisions.
La exploring here and there, discovered
long white line waving in the water, and on
the end Of that line was a bunch of baby
toads. At the same time, on the surface Of
the water, l noticed the shadow Of long
yellow rod that was held out straight from
one end, as it seemed, by somebody on shore.
Hereafter, my friends, when you see an out
fit like that, look outl Those toads looked
very attractive. l am very fond Of young
toads.n
YES" chimes in the chorus.
consequently, steering clear of the white
line rushed up and grabbed them my
mouth. While l was making off with them
/ felt them pulling back in way did not
understand. 1t seemed they had power Of
motion and resistance apart from their own
strength. But crushed them without mercy
and swallowed them. and when l cast my
eyes upagain, behold, the white line was gone
Sc by this time | knew that it was what is
called fishing line, which of course you
have all heard about. Presently in my fur
Their travels | passed by the same place,
when, strange to say, spied large crab at
tached to that same white line. Nov, you
know l am ve.y fond OF crabs"
"Yes."
''Well, this time was little chary of that
white line. for knew | must be careful, else
| might get captured, as our ancestors used to
predict of US So 1 swiftly approached the
crab, avoiding the little crooked continuance
at the end of tho lne-a mighty dangerous
device, by the way-and seized him near the
tail | was just proceeding to swallow him
tail foremost, when suddenly felt him jerk
l held on tightly, and Immediately the hook
and line disappeared. Having dispatched
that crab, continued purveying, and pres
entity CHANGED to return that way again.
Right before me, this time, a nice, neat, good
sized minnow was swimming, so l said
Young fellow, you are predestinated for me-
and charged on liz
HOOKED, But NOT LANDED.
Il seized him crosswise in the middle, on the
back, and the stomach, preparatory to swal-
lowing him head foremost according to our
ancestral custom, you know; but just at that
instant he jerked, and | felt sharp pain
thrill through my right jaw, and instantly
became aware that was pierced with one Of
those dreadful hooks We hear so much about.
/ braced up and brought all my arts and
tricks into play. few across the basin and
back again; | rushed up stream, and then
darted down till the line gave out. But tha-
wouldn't do. Steadily and remorselessly the
line was drawn in taut until l was pulled up
to the top OF the water, and there"-
What did you seei' cries the chorus
There saw fellow pulling for dear life
at the white line to which the hook in my
jaw was fastened and the other end Of which
was attached to the long thin rod which he
held in his hands. He seemed much agitated.
The rod bent like willow twig. His linen
buster was all mussed, his straw hat was Off
and lying in the mud, his eyeglasses were
dangling by a string to lis vest, his hands
were trembling nervously, and in general his
conduct, as he sputtered and muttered to
himself, was like that of man going mad
He kept repeating rapidly to himself. Soft
soft, I've got himr but be hadn't. / pitied
the poor fellow, he seemed so much excited
looked up sympathetically at him, but hs
glared cruelty at me; and all the while be
kept dragging ME nearer 20 him. l knew now
that the case demanded unusual exertion on
my part | realized that my situation was
desperate However, noticed that the bank
where the fellow stood was OF clay formation,
and very wet and slippery from recent rains, |
and felt that If | could only upee. my
enemy on that bank might get of safely. |
So running up toward him, | slackened the |
line SO quickly that he couldn't wind up in !
time, and then braced myself for a terrific |
rush.
Il rushed Nothing could Withstand such !
a desperate effort. | heard great splashing |
and houadering in the water behind me. and |
the line came right along with NE as free ae I
you please Then | knew | WAS safe All |
that bad to do after that was TO work my |
gills energeticeliy, vhereupon the hook OF its |
own accord slipped out OF my jaw, and both |
rod and line hoated down stream slowed |
that ninnow away, under the circumstances,
with extreme satisfaction, and padded back |
to the place Of conflict to $50 bow the poor
fisherman was coming On. WsV, he looked 1
dreadtUIy wet and ont OF temper He was
Just il the act of getting up and pulling him /
self together On the slippery bank leading
down TO toe waters edge | noticed two long
parallel marks in the mud, made by his heels
when he sid But | couldn't look At him