“Why, I say, it isn’t a very big one,” said Rob.
“No,” cried Joe, in a disappointed tone; “but he’s coming up backwards, which shows how strong he is.”
“Ha, ha!” shouted Rob; “we’ve caught him by the tail.”
“Got the line twisted round it, perhaps,” said Brazier. “That’s what makes the fish seem so strong.”
“Ugh!” yelled Rob, letting go of the line, with the result that it was drawn back rapidly through Joe’s fingers, till at a cry from his lips Rob took hold again as the fish ran off and nearly reached its former quarters.
“What’s the matter?” said Brazier. “Did the line cut your fingers?”
“No. We’ve caught a horrid great thing. It isn’t a dorado. I saw it well, and it’s nearly as long as the boat.”
“Gammon!” growled Shaddy. “Here, what’s it like, Master Joe?”
“I don’t know. I never saw a fish like it before: its tail was all golden scales, and then it was dark at the top and bottom, and went off dark right toward the head.”
“Then it must be a mud-fish, I should say, though I never knowed of one with a tail like that. Haul him in again, and I’ll get aboard now ready with the hook.”