ime without avail, and Arthur piteously asked if
it was of any use to go on.

"Use! I should think so," cried Josh. "Why, he's a big one, and we've
got to ketch him. Now haul, my lad, steady."

Arthur obeyed, and the violent jerking of the line began just as if the
great eel were making snatches at it.

"Now, give way, quick and sharp," cried Josh.

The boy did so, letting the line run over the side.

"I told you so," cried Josh, as it ran faster and faster. "He's going
away now. He's left his hole. Now lay hold, and get him to the top
quick as you can. He'll come up now."

Josh was right, for the eel had left the rocks, intending to swim away,
and when it felt the line once more it began to struggle, but on the
tension being eased it swam upwards. And so on again and again, till
the pale under parts of the great fish could be seen below the surface,
which was swirling and eddying with the strong motions of the muscular
tail.

"He is a big one," cried Josh. "Got yours in, lads?"

"Yes," cried Will.

"Give us room then," cried Josh. "Hold on tight, youngster. No, no,
Will: we can do him ourselves."

For Will had changed his position to take the line from Arthur, who felt
as if he should have liked to kick the fisherman for interfering at such
a time.

Acting like a machine in Josh's hands, Arthur slackened and hauled, and
hauled and slackened, until the great eel was right at the surface, and
Josh leaning over the gunwale, waiting his opportunity to hook it with
the great gaff; but though he made two or three attempts Arthur was so
helpless that he rather hindered than aided the capture. At last,
though, by a clever stroke Josh hooked the monster, and stretched out
his hand for his little axe.

As he did so there was a tremendous beating and splashing of the water,
and the eel literally twisted itself into a knot upon the gaff, forming
a great writhing bunch upon the shaft, and mingling line and self about
the hook in the most confusing manner.

Arthur had behaved as well as he could, but this was too much for him.
Dropping the line, he let himself fall backwards over the seat,
scrambled forward on hands and knees, rose up, and was getting into the
narrow portion of the boat in the bows, when he stepped upon something
slippery and fell right upon a living eel, the one Dick had just
captured.

"Oh, oh!" yelled Arthur, starting up and bounding back amidships, to
fall once more, with his hands