"Harvey, Harvey, come quick. I can't pull it in. Come quick."
He rushed to her assistance. The two children began pulling together. Harvey's eyes grew almost as big as his companion's.
"Beth, I believe you've caught a whale."
It was a very hard tug for them, but finally something black wiggled out of the water. Beth gave a little cry.
"Harvey, it's a snake. I don't want it, do you?"
His eyes sparkled. "It's no snake, Beth. It's an eel and a beauty too. My, what a monster!"
"Are you sure it is not a snake?"
"Of course I am. Darkies call them second cousins to snakes and won't eat them, but they are fine eating. My, just see him squirm. Isn't he big, though? You're a brick, Beth, to catch him."
By this time, the eel was safely landed on the wharf, and proved to be indeed a monster. It was a wonder that the children had ever been able to pull him in. Harvey tried to unhook him, but failed; for just as the boy thought he had him, the eel would slip away.
"Let's take him up to the house on the line. I want to show him to mamma," cried Beth.