“Yes, but not a quarter as big as the one which got away.”
“Nay,” growled Dave, “there weren’t much differ, lads.”
Whatever its size, the pike, a fish of several pounds weight, was placed alongside of the perch, upon which, by hazard or natural ferocity, it at once fastened its peculiarly hooked back-teeth, making it almost impossible to loosen its hold when once its jaws were closed; but the discussion which followed upon this was interrupted by the sight of the next bladder sailing away into the broadest part of the pool which they now entered.
“There’s a big one howd o’ that bait, my lads,” said Dave, “and he’ll give us a race. Shall we leave him?”
“Leave him! no,” cried the lads together.
“Ah, you heven’t got to pole!” said Dave thoughtfully, as he gazed at the bladder skimming along a couple of hundred yards away.
“Then let me do the poling,” cried Dick eagerly, “I’m not tired.”
“Nay,” said Dave quietly, “neither you nor me can’t do no poling theer. Watter’s nigh upon twenty foot deep, and a soft bottom. Pole’s no use theer.”
“What shall we do then?”
“I weer thinking, lad,” said Dave, following the direction taken by the bladder. “He’s a makkin for yon way through the reeds into next pool.”