and caught
the line.

"Yes, rather," said the lad. "You're right, Bob; I'm not quite strong
there yet."

"No wonder it gave you a nip, sir," cried the man, excitedly. "This is
a regular ram_pay_ger. My word! look at him; he's going all over the
place."

"Let the line run," cried Carey, excitedly, and quite forgetting the
pain.

"Nay, he aren't a whale, sir; but from the games he's playing he might
be a shark four or five foot long. I'll tire him out though. I say,
sir, you ought to be glad you aren't got hold; line reg'larly cuts into
my hand. Look at that now. I say, sir, we shan't want for something on
the table. Strikes me there hasn't been anyone fishing here lately."

There was a grim smile on the old sailor's face, as he stood there
easing the line a little, as the fish darted here and there in the most
vigorous way, and would have broken free had not the sailor's arms acted
like yielding springs.

The playing of that fish lasted what seemed to be five minutes, and its
darts and rushes were as vigorous as ever when all of a sudden it
gathered up its forces and made a rush into shallow water amongst the
coral, some of which bristled above the surface. Then they had a good
sight of its size and gleaming golden scales, for it leaped a good two
feet out of the water, came down with a heavy splash and jerk, and the
next minute Bostock was hauling in what was left of the line, fully
half, with lead and hook, having been borne away.

"Oh--oh!" groaned Carey, giving utterance to that sound so full of
disappointment peculiar to fishermen.

"Ay, 'tis a pity, sir," said Bostock, "such a fine fish too. Reg'lar
golden-red."

"Yes; what was it?"

"Can't say, sir. I don't think," he added, with a grim smile, "that it
was a red herring."

"But you should have let it run."

"Didn't want it, sir; he took the bit in his teeth, and he has run."

"I mean eased it and wearied it out."

"Yes, sir, I s'pose so; but I aren't big at fishing. Wait a bit, and
you'll have your turn. How's your shoulder?"

"Oh, that does not hurt now, but I do feel rather queer."

"No wonder," said the old sailor, looking at the boy searchingly as he
ringed up the remainder of the fishing-line. "Let's get ashore."

"Oh no. Try for another fish."

"Can't, sir; he's taken away my lead sinker, and I don't think we could
ketch one on the surface; besides, my line's too short."

There was nothing to say to this, so the raft