For when Tom missed, his opportunity came, the boat gliding so near that he dropped the pole down over the line, and a tremendous disturbance of the water began.
Tom rushed forward, leaned over the side, and deftly hooked the line which ran through to the bladder as Dave drew away his pole.
"It's a monster! Oh Dick!" cried Tom, as he drew the bladder in.

"Now, then, catch hold of the line as I draw it in." "Yah! Why yow make as much on it as if it weer one o' they long studggins, or a big porpus pig," growled Dave, laughing, as Dick secured the line.

"Haul him in." "I say! 'Tisn't a very big one, Tom; but he's strong," said Dick, pulling the captive to the side, for his companion to gaff and lift into the boat.

"Why, it's a perch!" A perch it was--a fine one with ruddy fins and boldly-barred sides, and, though fine for his kind, less than three pounds in weight.
"I thowt that was what he was," said Dave, laughing, "when I sin him skim that theer blether along.

Pop him in the basket, lads, and let's get all the rest of the liggers out, or we shall make a poor time of it." He plied the pole vigorously and soon stopped to let the boat glide towards an opening in the reeds, where a long water-way ran in.