“As the umpire in this dispute,” said Jack, solemnly, “I am forced to disallow the claim Jimmy makes. No matter how he got his prize, we can’t swallow what he says about an alligator being a fish, even if it does swim under water; for it couldn’t live there at all, but has to come up on shore. So Jimmy, you’ll have to try again; and better luck to you next time!”
[CHAPTER XIV.]
WHEN THE COMFORT WAS HUNG UP.
Evidently Jimmy was not at all dismayed by his present setback. As he said, he sprang from stock that would never acknowledge defeat.
“Just wait, me laddybuck,” he declared, as he shook his finger at the grinning Nick; “the day is long yit, and by the powers, they be other ways of beating that record ye’ve hung up. I’ll kape me eyes about me, to say if another jewfish wouldn’t be afther stranding himself for me ’special benefit. And who knows but what this toime it may be a three hundred pounder I’ll be lugging into camp.”
“Oh, that’s all right, Jimmy,” remarked the fat boy, apparently not very much worried over the possibility of losing his laurels; “but make sure of one thing before you claim the earth.”
“And what moight that be?” demanded Jimmy, innocently.
“Why, don’t shout till you see whether it’s a fish—or a log!” and Nick lay back on the soft cushions he had brought on deck for his own comfort, to laugh uproariously at his remark.
Jimmy turned a bit red, but joined in the general hilarity; for he was able to enjoy a joke, even at his own expense.