The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1910-05-18
Meanwhile, Lee and Carl had be.

Meanwhile, Lee and Carl had be-
gun working together to regain the
line that had been run out. The VIC
tory could never have come to the
young fisherman but for the mastery
way in which Carl handled the canoe.
He made 1t almost part Of Lee. 1t
moved with his motion, always re-
sponsive, always steady.
When the fish went out toward the
open lake, the boat went with him,
that he might go as far as he would.
When he made a wild rush for the
shore, the paddle sent the boat off at
an angle to his course, that the steel
rod might exert pull sidewise, and
thus turn him from his course, and
back toward the open lake.
And all this time, Lee was putting
on his tackle all the strain that he
dared, holding the line so taut that
his arm ached before the fight had
been on ten minutes-and 1t lasted
fifty-five.
When Old Muskie would leap fran
tically into the air, fiercely shaking
himself, down would go the tip of the
rod, clear below the surface of the
water; and when he would Sound"
the tip of the rod pulled upward re-
lentlessly. Whatever the direction
of the rushes of the big fish, always
the skilled hand and wiry arm of Lee
Henly were ready to battle and turn
aside, to hold back and to weary.
"Pretty fight" said Herbert Ger
rish to Mr.. Cameron, who was watch
ing in silence, but with keen admira-
tion.
'Fine!" said Mr.. Cameron. "Never
saw better"
'Think he'll land the fish," asked
John Newly.
"If he does not now, he is bound
to do 1t some day." replied Mr.. Cam
eron. THAT fish might just as we'll
give It up now as any time. l know
Lee Henly."
Indeed, 1t began to look as If VIC
tory was near. Slowly the rushes of
the maskinonge were becoming less
fierce. Carl had the gaff at hand for
Lee when he was ready for it. Lee,
| fearful of rush under the boat,
dared not work the fish round for
Carl to gaff, but kept him at the end
of the boat where he himself might
use the big hook.
But what he had feared came to
pass. The big maskinonge did make
run under the boat. He was
straight in front, when with light
ning-like dash he made a half-circle
and went under the boat from the
side.
With a quick motion of arm and
wrist, Lee threw the end of the rod
over the prov of the canoe. 1t was
all there was to do, but the rod would
surely have struck the end of the
boat, and something would probably
have broken and the fish escaped,
had not Carl, with a mighty stroke
of the paddle, backed the canoe so
quickly that Lee was almost thrown
overheard. But the fish was saved.
The fight was nearly over Grad
ually they forced the maskinonge to-
ward the sandy beach. Mr.. Cameron
had got big, long-handled gaff-hook,
and now, forgetful of his rheumatism,
waded out waist-deep into the water.
There was a brief but decisive strug-
gle that went hopelessly against the
fish, and Mr.. Cameron gated Old
Muskie and dragged him ashore.
Lee and Carl stepped out on the
beach, both of them on the verge
of collapse.
There was great fish supper at
Forest Lodge that night. The skin,
head, tail and fins of Old Muskie were
carefully preserved and sent to the
best taxidermist in Chicago; but there
was enough left of his fifty-three
pound body for the company gathered
about the big "Oak Hall" dining
table. On the right of Mr.. Cameron
sat Lee Henly, and on the left, Carl
Mills. Mr.. Cameron and the Forest
Lodge people were jubilant. Carl
found a fifty-dollar bill under his
plate, and Lee found a check for one
hundred dollars. And as the meal
progressed, the story OF the capture
of Old Muskie was told substantially
as have told 1t to you.
There is little more to tell.
might tell you about how Lee Henly
worked his way through college, after
the catching of Old Muskie had given
him his start. I could tell you of his
work to-day as general manager of
the business house of Cameron, Page
& Co., of Chicago. But that would
be the story of Lee Henly, and
started out to tell you nothing but the
story of Old Muskie, whose mounted
body is now in the private Office Of
Mr.. Cameron himself, where Lee
Henly sees it every day.-Youth's
Companion.