When he was close to
the water, he bared his right arm and grasped the gaff by the
handle._"]
"I think he is well-hooked, and you'll get him, but don't bear too
hardly on him for all that."
The conclusion of the fight proved to be a series of rapid and cautious
skirmishes between the salmon and old Robert; for, as soon as the former
discovered that danger awaited him at the foot of the rock, he made
every possible effort to break away, and then, getting more and more
exhausted, allowed himself to be led in again. And then at last, on his
sailing in almost on his side, so dead beat was he, a firm stroke of the
gaff caught him behind the shoulder, and the next moment he was in
mid-air, the next again on the bare rock.
Now when you have slain a stag one day, it is not so much of a triumph
to kill a salmon the next; nevertheless Lionel was as heartily glad to
see that fish ashore as he would have been deeply mortified had it
escaped. For was not Honnor Cunyngham looking on? Nay, she was kind
enough to say to him,
"You played that fish very well, Mr. Moore."
"I have been watching you so often," said he, modestly, "that I must
have learned something.
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