See me cut my line at the end o' my pole." He snipped the line in two.

"Noo watch," he cautioned, "I dinna want contra deection about this!" He picked up the Bass, and taking the line by which it was fast at its mouth, he slowly drew it through his fingers.

The wiry silk line slipped away, and the heavy cord whipped out free.
"Is this my line ?" asked Dannie, holding it up.
Jimmy nodded.
"Is the Black Bass my fish?
Speak up!" cried Dannie, dangling the fish from the line.
"It's yours," admitted Jimmy.
"Then I'll be damned if I dinna do what I please wi' my own!" cried Dannie.

With trembling fingers he extracted the hook, and dropped it.
He took the gasping big fish in both hands, and tested its weight.
"Almost seex," he said.

"Michty near seex!" And he tossed the Black Bass back into the Wabash.
Then he stooped, and gathered up his pole and line.
With one foot he kicked the catfish, the tangled silk line, and the jointed rod, toward Jimmy.