Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-12-08

breathes.
Suddenly she sprang erect in the
boat. There's one. there's orei"
There's what2" Duke had forgot
that they were fishing.
Look at the jug. Look at the iugi"
she shouted.
One OF their jugs bobbed frantical-
II up and down. then disappeared.
"Oh, he's gone: no. there he is
again; pull pull"
Their jug bounded to the surface
and dashed msdly up the lake.
Duke fitted his oars to the locks.
"Sit down. Miss Cameron; hold her
straight for the jug. Nowl"
They whirled ike a weathercock
when he threw has weight upon the
oars. Their boat leaped forard. lift
ing her prov from the water at every
stroke.
Anita's eyes sparkled: she leaned
forward and steered with the ease OF
long practice. He could tell from the
expression of her face what the jug
was doing. And he had rather watch
her face than watch the jug.
He's way ahead; he's getting.
away. oh, dear. it's no use. I wish
we'd brought another pair OF oars
Duke glanced over his shcdlder.
He can't go very far. unless he gets
clear out OF the lake. He's bound TO
go ashore on that sand-bar. or come
back"
The man rested on his oars. wiped
his face and watched that streak or
spray until IT turned back again
H.,
ing down the lake toward him. Time
after time the big fish jumped clear OK
the water. and plunged on.
Head him on There! Now pull!"
Anita shouted. and swung the tiller.
Duke pulled a magnificent stroke;
II seemed that their boat and the fish
must collide. He stopped rowing.
cooked his pistol and knelt in the
bow. Both Of them distinctly saw the
scaly brown body darting through the
water about four feet ahead OF the
Jug.
Hold tight. Miss Cameron" Duke
cautioned her. hes going to foul U.S.
Then he fired: the gar veered sharp
ly 20 the right and he fired again.
Both bullets were truly aimed. but
glanced and went skipping harmlessly
up the lake. The fish passed them
and was now 100 feet away.
Missed, both umesi how could
your Give me the pistol. he's coming
back" Anita had sprung erect. and
stood with one foot on the gunwale.
Her eyes danced. and she frowned at
the wasted shots
IT'S no use. Miss Cameron. YOU
can't shoot into water at that angle"
Riah kept shouting at them from
the bank. Mister Duke. Mister Duke.
You gottcr let i'm tire hissef out Jess
pull long easy an keep i'm moving.
Him an dat ieg amt gwIne to part
cump'ny."
The lake was about half a mile
long. Duke kept his skim nearly in
the middle. and they drifted.
Here ne comes." Anita almost
screamed as the gar whizzcd back. ana
passed them like a rocket. "I.ookl
look at the other jug" She clutched
his arm and pointed. pull. pun
"One gar az time. and they last
LONGER" Duke said. deliberately. dip
ping his handkerchief into the water
To wipe his face
"Nebber min dat'n. Mister Duke:
I'll sit k..2." Old Riah had run up
and down the bank until ne could
stand Il no longer. lie kicked or
his brogans. threw a landing hook
into his dugout. and gave the craft a
shove which sent her far into the
lake. He crouched In the bottom aud
padded with a piece OF board.
Duke looked on. Disguised at the
ease with which Riah handled that
slick black log OF his II slipped over
the water as IL IL were creased and
sliding down a hill. Riah slowed up
as he PASSED the skin
"Yourn's gittin' tired. Mister Duke
Slip up on i'm right easy an ketch
holt O. de jeg hanle wild yo' hook
Let i'm pun you round fer a spell"
The first jug wandered aimlessly
around the lake. stopping. going on
again. the big brown gar coming fire.
quently to the surface. Duke ap-
preached cautiously. padding his
boat from the bow. He laid his oar
aside and caught the hook in the Jug
handle. The gar started, jerked.
bounded and bucked like Texas
bronco.
Hold her steady. Miss Cameron"
Anita drew a long breath. and chung
TO the tiller ropes.
Their light skin cleft the water like
a pillow. Anita gave a quick little
scream.
IF you are afraid. Miss Cameron
I'll turn him loose?"
Don't you dare turn that fish
loose; hold him tight. He's a beau
ty." Her bonnet flew overheard. her
hair streamed back; the sun blistered
her. but she did not care; she was
very happy.
Riah sprang up in his dugout and
waved his hand to them as they
passed. "Al abo'd fer de 'scussion-
Tootl Tooti"
We are getting a free ride" Duke
laughed. STEADY now, Miss Cam
eron; he's going to turn"
They swung round in a wide circle
and started back again. But the fish
was plainly spent lie swan nearer
TO the surface. and moved sluggishly.