aken.

"But he's a very big one," said Dick, seeking to make up for the
disappointment.

"Yes, she's big enough," said Josh; "but they don't pay for taking."

"Better luck next run down," said Will, as they rowed back to the first
buoy, he helping this time with an oar. "The fish feed better when it
begins to be dusk; they can't see the line."

"But they would not be able to see the bait."

"Then they would smell it," said Will. "Fish generally feed best in the
dark."

The buoy was reached, and the line once more hauled aboard, this time
with a grey gurnard on the first hook. The second was bare. The third
and fourth both had gurnards upon them. Then there was an untouched
bait, and then a very large plaice, dotted with orange spots, whose
appearance made Josh grunt with satisfaction. Next came a large sole,
then a small one, and again a large sole, after which there was a long
array of empty hooks, and Dick began to feel dissatisfied, for there was
no work for the gaff-hook.

"Here's a conger, I think," said Will suddenly.

"A conger!" cried Dick excitedly, as he began to think of gigantic
creatures like sea-serpents.

"Yes, a small one. Get your knife, Josh."

The latter opened his big knife, and as a great eel about three feet
long was drawn over the side they did not trouble to extract the hook
which was swallowed right down; but Josh cut the string of the snooding
close to the living creature's jaws, and let it drop in the boat, about
which it began to travel serpent-fashion to Dick's great discomfort.

"She won't hurt you," said Josh, "unless you put your finger in her
mouth. She can bite, but not like the big ones."

"But is this a conger?" said Dick, watching the slimy creature as it
sought for a hiding-place, and strove to get under the grating in the
bottom of the boat.

"Conger! To be sure it is," said Will.

"But I thought congers were very big."

"They grow big, of course," said Will smiling.

"But this may be only a large eel. They do go in the sea, you know."

"Oh, yes! I know they do; but river eels don't have eyes like this.
Look at them," he said, pointing to the creature's huge eyes. "Sea fish
nearly all have very large eyes, so as to see deep down at the bottom.
Here's something better. Now try and gaff this."

"Why, it's another skate," cried Dick, determined this time not to give
up the hook; and as the large round white fish came up fighting hard
against capture