"What makes 'em be called Sallie Growler?" asked Laddie, as he and Russ looked at the fish. It was very ugly, with a head shaped like a toad, and a very big mouth.
"I don't know why they call 'em Sallie," said George; "but they call 'em Growler 'cause they do growl. Sometimes you can hear 'em grunting under the water. There goes this one now!"
Just as he spoke the fish did give a sort of groan or growl. It opened its mouth, gasping for breath.
"They're no good—worse than a toad fish!" exclaimed George, as he kicked the one Laddie had caught into the water.
"Are there many around here?" asked Russ.
"Yes, quite a lot in the inlet," answered George. "They don't bite on crab-meat bait, but if you're fishing for fish they often swallow your hook, bait and all. I don't like 'em, and I guess Teddy won't either after to-day."
"Was he ever bit before?" Laddie wanted to know as the dog lay down on the pier and began to lick his bitten nose with his tongue.
"Not that I know of," answered George, who was a little older than Russ. "Once is enough. I wouldn't want one to bite me."
"Me, neither," added Russ. "Want to help catch crabs?" he asked George. "I have two lines and you can have one."
"Thanks, I will. I was out walking with my dog and I saw you two down on this pier. I came to see if you were the same boys that gave my dog marshmallows last night."