swimming near by, and to know that next moment a tremendous rush and fight would begin, was to the novice almost a painful sensation.

Not quite understanding the mechanism of the powerful reel and breaks, and being warned that thumbs or fingers had sometimes been almost torn off the hand, I grasped the rod very gingerly.

But I need not say what my first fish or any particular fish did or what happened.

I will only say that I got all I wanted--enough to wear me out physically till quite ready to be gaffed myself.

It is tremendously hard work.