“No, let’s pull up his line and fasten an old shoe, or something like that to it,” proposed Frank. “He’ll think he has a big bite.”
They started to put this plan into operation, when, as they were about to pull up Ned’s line, they saw it suddenly straighten out.
“He’s got a bite!” exclaimed Fenn.
“Yes, and a whopper, too,” added Frank.
“Look at it!” cried Bart, as some big fish, at the stern of the boat, leaped out of the water and fell back with a splash.
Then the line about Ned’s wrist tightened. He felt the pull and awakened.
“I’ve got him!” he cried. “I’ve got the biggest one!”
The next moment he went sprawling from his chair, while his arm was straightened out in front of him, for the strong line, to which a big fish was attached, was fairly pulling him along.
“Look out! He’ll go overboard!” cried Mr. Ackerman.
Bart made one leap, and grabbed Ned around the waist. This saved the luckless youth from being pulled over the rail, but it did not release him from his predicament.