to skitter
once more.

Jimmy dropped his minnow beside the Kingfisher stump, and let it sink.
Dannie hit the water at the base of the stump, where it had not been
disturbed for a long time, a sharp "Spat," with his worms. Something
seized his bait, and was gone. Dannie planted his feet firmly, squared
his jaws, gripped his rod, and loosened his line. As his eye followed
it, he saw to his amazement that Jimmy's line was sailing off down the
river beside his, and heard the reel singing.

Dannie was soon close to the end of his line. He threw his weight into
a jerk enough to have torn the head from a fish, and down the river the
Black Bass leaped clear of the water, doubled, and with a mighty shake
tried to throw the hook from his mouth.

"Got him fast, by God!" screamed Jimmy in triumph.

Straight toward them rushed the fish. Jimmy reeled wildly; Dannie
gathered in his line by yard lengths, and grasped it with the hand that
held the rod. Near them the Bass leaped again, and sped back down the
river. Jimmy's reel sang, and Dannie's line jerked through his fingers.
Back came the fish. Again Dannie gathered in line, and Jimmy reeled
frantically. Then Dannie, relying on the strength of his line thought
he could land the fish, and steadily drew it toward him. Jimmy's reel
began to sing louder, and his line followed Dannie's. Instantly Jimmy
went wild.

"Stop pullin' me little silk thrid!" he yelled. "I've got the Black
Bass hooked fast as a rock, and your domn clothes line is sawin' across
me. Cut there! Cut that domn rope! Quick!"

"He's mine, and I'll land him!" roared Dannie. "Cut yoursel', and let
me get my fish!"

So it happened, that when Mary Malone, tired of waiting for the boys to
come, and anxious as to the day's outcome, slipped down to the Wabash
to see what they were doing, she heard sounds that almost paralyzed
her. Shaking with fear, she ran toward the river, and paused at a
little thicket behind Dannie.

Jimmy danced and raged on the opposite bank. "Cut!" he yelled. "Cut
that domn cable, and let me Bass loose! Cut your line, I say!"

Dannie stood with his feet planted wide apart, and his jaws set. He
drew his line steadily toward him, and Jimmy's followed. "Ye see!"
exulted Dannie. "Ye're across me. The Bass is mine! Reel out your line
till I land him, if ye dinna want it broken."

"If you don't cut your domn line, I will!" raved Jimmy.

"Cut nothin'!" cried Dannie. "Let's see ye try to touch it!