“Hor—hor—hor!” laughed Josh. “Well, all right, my lad, we’ll light the lanthorn, and then p’r’aps I can get a cut at her. Where’s the matches, Will? Hallo!”
For just then there was a tremendous scuffling in the fore part of the boat, as the great eel forced itself amongst the spare rope and odds and ends of the fishing gear. Then there was a faint gleam seen for a moment on the gunwale, and a splash, and then silence.
“Why, she’s gone,” cried Josh.
“What! Over the side?” cried Dick.
“Ay, lad, sure enough; and the biggest one we took to-night, and my best conger-hook in her mouth.”
Arthur uttered a sigh of relief that was almost a sob, and sitting down very quietly he listened to the talking of his three companions, as the anchor and killick were got up, and the boat was rowed across the starry bay, to reach the landing-place about half an hour before the expected time, Mr Temple being in waiting, and pacing to and fro upon the pier.
“Caught any?” he said.
“Yes, father, lots, but the big one got away,” cried Dick.
“How did you get on, Arthur?” said Mr Temple. “Were you very much alarmed?”
Arthur would have honestly said, “Yes;” but before he could speak, Josh exclaimed: