“Strike!� he called out, and Teddy, abandoning his own casting, ran toward Roy.
“Feels like a whale!� the boy sang out. “Hand me that net, Ted!�
There was haste to oblige, and Roy played his fish carefully. The trout seemed not unused to the ways of anglers, for it did not dash aimlessly about, but with short, purposeful spurts prevented the young rancher from taking in much line.
“Looks as if you were in for a fight!� Teddy exclaimed, watching with interest the contest between his brother and the fish. “He’s no amateur at this business, that trout! He knows his stuff!�
“I’ll tell a maverick he does!� Roy said, breathing hard. “Golly, he must weigh a ton! He’s some scrapper!�
Suddenly the line swayed down, hanging loosely.
“Now’s your chance!� Teddy shouted. “Reel in! Reel in!�
Roy needed no such advice, for he was reeling in as fast as he could. Then, with a slight twang, the line tightened. Roy was still taking in slack when it happened, and he could not stop in time. There was a quick jerk, and the frayed end of the cord dangled from the tip of the rod. The fish had won.
Roy threw the pole down in annoyance.
“Thought I had him, sure!� he declared. “Ever see a fish act like that before? Wise as they make ’em! He just waited until I started to reel in, then stopped short and broke the line. Well, he sure timed it pretty. My respects to a clever fish,� and he removed his hat and made a mock bow.