“Now then,” said Mercer, “pull steady; and when it is near the top, run it right out on to the grass.”
I tried to obey his orders; but when I saw the creature keeping up its rapid serpentine motion, I felt disposed to let it go down again into its watery depths. I did not, however, but gradually swept the point of my rod round, drawing my prisoner nearly to the bank, and then with one good swing drew it right out on to the grass, where, in an instant, it tied itself right up in a knot, with the line twisted about it.
“Oh my, what a mess!” cried Mercer, coming to my help. “Ugh! you nasty, slimy wretch! Mind, or he’ll be off back into the— Ah, would you?”
He seized the line, and drew the eel farther from the water’s edge, waiting his opportunity, which came directly, for the fish rapidly untwined itself, plunged its head amongst the grass, and began to make its way like a snake when its course was checked by Mercer’s foot planted firmly behind its head.
“Ugh! how cruel!” I said.
“Serve him right. He’s grown to be as big as this by catching and eating all the poor little fish that went near him. He’s good to eat too, and what a big one! Why, he must be over a pound. Oh my, what a mess!” he continued. “He has swallowed the hook right down, and there’s no getting it out till he’s dead. Here, give me your handkerchief, I’ll use mine when I catch one.”
I took out my handkerchief, and by his directions spread it upon the grass, when he raised his foot, lifted up the line, and the fish again twisted itself into a knot.
“That’s the way,” he said. “Now then, I’ll drop him gently on to the handkerchief, and you take the cross corners and tie them over him tight, and then the other two. Ready?”
“Yes,” I said, feeling no little repugnance to the slimy creature, but getting first one knot and then the other fast over the big round writhing fish, and this done to my companion’s satisfaction, he whipped out his knife and cut the line.