The Coolidge examiner., 1934-03-09

rush. turned about and
bored into the current again. fore.
ing out a few feet % line. The
great creature vas tlrinx. now. aud
with bis fatigue came fresh desper.
alton. Hlther and ron be charged.
Steve knew his battle was not yet
won.
No split second for thought OF
other THAI that struggle had been
spared the man since the iunker
rose TO bis ~. 40 be had not OBJ
served = canoe coming Up the river.
did not realize that be was within
easy talking distance Of lis oc.
capanis In the bow sat MacDon-
aid. bis white bead bare. rigged rod
ready In bis hand
lie did not speak. did not move
except TO pa, the rod down. Ills
dark eyes. lighted strangely. watched
every move OF the angler. and when
be saw that the herce vlEor OF the
troni's resistance wAs ebblng be
motloned bis Indian paddier to pro-
ceed slowly.
So the Laird was close enough 10
hear sseve's ehuckle when, after a
long time. the nsh paused suddenly
In bis struggles and aoated a few
feet. writhlng slowly on his side.
openlnE and closing his Jaws lie
righted lie tried TO work into the
current again: turned reluctantly
but helplessiy. as the rod drew back.
ward
''Cume home. old timerl- Steve
cried as. reaching for bis landing
net. he walked into deeper water
where the klnEly old veteran drift
ed with the Cow.
II Was then that he saw the canoe
and It's occupants. lie gave n sharp
nod bat did not speak. lie took out
bis net. stretched his arm. As the
net all but slipped beneath him. the
ash rolled over. churaing the water
md sank from sight Drake straight.
rned quickly. cautious isst he de-
feat himself ln the very moment og
victory.
lie was within a few yards Of the
canoe. then. and "a the fish sound.
ed aud came up again. the Laird
stirred lie snatehesi up his own
ong handled net and leaned out.
board. ready to take the nsh as be
came past
Don't do that. Please II can't
lake him alone. I won't take him"
Drake called.
lie did not 50 much as gianre at
he Scot again. lie came 10 a bait.
lifted bis rod higher. dragged the
ash bearer. Then. with a sharp. de-
-lsive thrust Of the net. he slipped
4 beneath bis quarry. lifted hlm ont
sith q swinging movement aud re-
axed his weary right arm. :.
For an instant the iish lay siiIl.
ruried IN the mesh. giils working.
and then he began 10 siraIn. The
great fan slid up beyond the frame
of the net and Steve. knowing the
ianger. knowing that no nsh IL an
anglers prize until be Is killed,
Naded 10 the bank.
A swelling sense OF achievement
Allied him. lie was needless OF the
fact that the Laird bad landed and
was approaching.
When The old man came close.
however. Steve looked up He
yrlnned because be had done what
he set out 10 DO aud because be had
done even more: taken the ash un.
der the eyes of the old recluse him.
self.
But when ne had looked into that
other face his smile died. Never In
any other countenance had he seen
that particular rage which now
flooded MacDonald's.
"Ye'ye taken my ash. mon! I" His
voice vlbrated. vein on his fore
head leaped out into a welt.
your tish. Mr.. McDonald7 |
didn't think II was"
"Didn't Think Didn't think.
Mebby so But ut's tn Dish I've
worked over summer after sum-
mer: tn fish I've dreamed on win
ter night after winter night Nd
who may ye be to come on anither's
md poach nd pillage nd
kin what's anither's right TO takey'
Steve thought quickly. Instead OF
having the Lalrd's admiration as a
reward for his accomplishment. he
had won only anlmoslty. and anil
mostly Is poor beginning for
friendship.
You're mistaken. sir" he said.
This isn't your fish. Come here.
Look upstream. Watch"
He led the other few PAGES
10 a vantage point. the old man sud
denly silent but obviously suspI-
clous. After a moment. In against