"Only six minnows left," at last said Owen, feeling in the bucket for another bait.
"Wait a moment," interposed Martin, "let us try the new way. An old fisherman told me the other day that he always baited the shiners through the back, because in this position they appeared more natural."
"Now's a good time to try," said Owen, "for we can afford to lose a few minnows. How did he say to fix them?"
"Run the hook under the big fin on the back."
"How's that?" queried Owen, holding up the baited hook.
"It looks all right, but I don't know how it will work," said Martin.
"We'll soon find that out," replied Owen, casting his line into the stream. "At least, it hasn't frightened them away," he continued, after a short pause, "for one is biting now, and—and—and here it is."
"Yes, here the line is," said Martin, "but both perch and minnow are gone. I see that you don't understand the new way of fishing."
"It is much better to bait them through the mouth."
"That's to be proved," argued Martin, "look at this."