“But it’s dragging the line out of my hands!” said Arthur.
“Don’t let it! Hold tight!” cried Dick, whose cheeks were flushed with excitement.
“But it cuts my hands,” said Arthur pettishly.
“Never mind that! All the better! It’s a big one! Let a little more line out.”
Arthur obeyed, and the fish darted off so vigorously that it would have carried off all there was had not Dick checked it.
“Now, hold tight!” cried Dick. “Play him. Now begin to haul in.”
“But the line’s all messy,” said Arthur, in tones full of disgust.
“Oh, what a fellow you are! Now, then, never mind the line being messy; haul away!”
“What, pull?” said Arthur feebly.
“To be sure! Pull away hand over hand. I know he’s a monster.”