“Oh no, sir; hold it.”
“Well, then, let me secure the end fast.”
Rob was ready to resent this, for he felt confidence in his own powers; but he held his tongue, and waited impatiently minute after minute, in expectation of the bite which did not come.
“No luck, eh?” said Shaddy. “I say, I hope you’re not going to catch a water-snake. I’ll get my knife out to cut him free; shall I? He might sink us.”
“Do be quiet,” said Rob excitedly. “Might have one of those John Doreys any moment.”
But still the minutes went on, and there was no sign.
“How are you going to manage if you hook one?” said Joe quietly.
“Play him till he’s tired.”
“Mind the line doesn’t cut your fingers. No, no, don’t twist it round your hand; they pull very hard. Let him go slowly till all the line’s out.”
“When he bites,” said Rob in disappointed tones. “Your one has frightened them all away, or else the bait’s off.”