Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1891-01-03

reel feVOlVeu. 1ut stfdth vas eo"o'
from the salmon rod and it straight
ened-
81 have lost him u Sam exclaimed
sorrowfully.
"Not at all, said encouragingiy
GReel in. He is going to the other
side of the boat and into unlighted
water. Reel in and swing clear!" |
exclaimed as I saw the line rapidly
approach. thrust the paddle deep
into the water and drew it forward
strongly. The fish passed directly
in front Of the boat. The reel again
sang sweetly, and the rod bent al
most double with the strain.
"That dash will tire him, Sam !
said.
81 think so, too,n he replied.
We were mistaken. In moment
I saw the rod fly upward. and the
brown hands working neryously at
the reel. The rod swung over me
as I forced the boat forward. Again
the fish swan past; this time saw
him, and my heart beat strongly.
The muskallonge swan directly with
the moon trail, causing the water to.
ripple and boil Whitley where it was
cut by the line or disturbed by
strokes OF his powerful tail. Again
the reel sang, but the music was
slower. Evidently he was almost
exhausted.
81 am going to fetch him along
side," Sam said.
500 ahead, but loosen the drag,
and watch for the last KICK | cau-
toned, as I thrust the paddle into
the water and leaned over it prepare
tory to swinging the boat.
Slowly the reel reyolved, and the
bent tip was indicative Of the great
size Of the fish. Nearer and nearer
the muskallonge came, causing the
water to ripple and swirl as he re-
luctantly approached. Keeping him
well ahead Of the boat, the bow of
which I had swung into the broad
ribbon of moonlight, the boz reeled
the fish to within ten feet of the
boat.
"Do you see him, father?" he said
inquiringly.
II do, my son. Look out !" l
cried, as / saw the fish turn from his
side to his belly. The caution was
unnecessary. The brown hand had
clasped the rod firmly before the
fish turned. Again the reel sang
merrily. Quickly 100 feet of line
ran out; then the end came. Rapid
ly the handle Of the reel revolved,
and the exhausted, open-mouthed
fish was brought alongside of the
boat.
"Take the rod and hold him steady,
please" Sam said, as he thrust the
butt of the rod into my hands.
Quickly he rolled up his shirt
Sleeves; then he leaned over the boat
saying, "balance me-" and grabbed
at the fish, catching it firmly in the
gills. He dragged it into the boat,
drew his knife, and stabbed it
through the spine. The cries of
joy voiced by the victorious boy fill
ed the air. He executed savage,
triumphal dance, which caused the
boat to rock dangerously. The
Northern loon laughed in the merry
making, and laughed quite joyously
I thought.
at is as large as the one that
broke your trolling line in Dedman's
bay the other day." Sam exclaimed,
and then he added in anxious in
quiry, "Don't you think SO 7" The
master muskallonge of that bay of
uncanny name had been our stand
ard OF measurement for several days.
/ had hooked that large and game
fish firmly, and had deservedly lost
him in trying to teach him to come
to me when / called, as one teaches q
setter dog to come. had had that
fish alongside the boat, and we had
admired him greatly, and we had
had great fun with him. / had,
with pretense to earnestness, an
nounced my intention to tame and
train him and to make him catch all
the fish in Big Sandy Lake for me.
So, when he broke water and my
trolling line at the same time, /
slammed a grief that quickly be-
came real when I realized that the
fish had swum off with tarpon
spoon firmly set in his mouth-a
new golden tarpon spoon, mind you,
to obtain which had parted with
several broad pieces of silver. The
fish that Sam had landed closely APP
preached him in size, so / replied,
eyes, / believe he is as large. Now
put on your coats and sit still. /
am for home and supper"
Bending over the oars, the light
boat moved rapidly through the
calm water and we were soon at the
landing. There We weighed the
muskallonge -twenty-six pounds the
scales indicated. It was the largest
fish We caught in the course of our
outing.
An Important Matter.
Druggists every where report tina