s right," I exclaimed, as I tightened the line with a jerk, and
then a sharp little struggle began, as the fish I had hooked rushed
hither and thither, and fought back, and finally was dragged out of the
water, tying itself up in a knot which bobbed and slipped about upon the
floor as I dragged it into the grinding-room, and cut the line to set it
free, for it was impossible to get the hook out of the writhing
creature's jaws.

It was an eel of about a pound weight, and, excited now by the struggle,
I fastened on a fresh hook, baited it, and threw in the same place
again.

Quite half an hour elapsed before I had another bite, and knowing how
nocturnal these creatures are in their habits, I was just thinking that
if I liked next time I was on the watch I might throw a line in here,
and keep catching an eel every now and then, when--

Check! A regular sharp jerk at the line, and I knew that I had hooked a
good one, but instead of the line tightening it suddenly grew quite
slack.

For a moment I was afraid that the fish had broken away, but I realised
directly that it had rushed over to my side of the wheel-pit, and it had
come so swiftly that I began to think that it could not be an eel.

I had not much line to gather in, though, before I felt the check again,
and a furious tug given so hard that I let the line run, and several
yards were drawn through my fingers before I began to wonder where the
eel or other fish I had hooked had gone.

"Perhaps there is a passage or drain under the works," I thought as I
dragged at the line, now to feel some answering throbs; but the fish did
not run any farther, only remained stationary.

"What a monster!" I cried, as I felt what a tremendous weight there was
against me. I drew the line and gained a little, but gave way for fear
it should break.

This went on for ten minutes or so. I was in a state of the greatest
excitement, for I felt that I had got hold of a monster, and began to
despair of dragging it up to where I was. Such a thing seemed
impossible, for the line would give way or the hook break from its hold
I was sure.

In place of jerking about now, the fish was very still, exercising a
kind of inert force against its captor; but I was in momentary
expectation of a renewal of the battle, and so powerful did the creature
seem, so enormously heavy was it, that I began to regret my success, and
to wonder what the consequences would be if I were to get the large ee