“First, I’ll show you how to catch fish—trout—then you folks can go on and git your own mess,” he announced.
Jim fished patiently, but did not even get a bite, greatly to the amusement of the Overlanders, who teased him until the guide’s temper began to rise.
“I think I can beat you fishing,” declared Hippy finally. “When I was a boy I used to be something of a trout fisherman.”
“Here! Let me try it,” urged Stacy. “I am a whale at catching trout. When I cast my hook they just have to bite.”
“Perhaps they bite to get rid of you,” suggested Emma.
Hippy, having taken the rod from Jim, made a cast. There followed a swish in the water and the pole bent almost to the breaking point.
“Got him!” cried Hippy.
“Play him, play him!” yelled Stacy. “Don’t try to haul him in until you have tired him out. Oh, what a muffer you are!”
“I reckon I know how to catch fish without advice from you,” retorted Lieutenant Wingate. “Jim, where’s the landing net?”
“Oh, pooh!” jeered Stacy. “It’s only amateurs that need a landing net.”