Page:Jay Little - Maybe—Tomorrow.pdf/323

 "Ya want a nickel?" Then he brought out a shovel. "And if we can't catch any bait we can dig for some. There's lots of worms."

With only their shorts on they pulled the seine through the shallow water, and it wasn't long before they had a can full of minnows. Gaylord fell once but he only laughed and pulled at the wet shorts sticking close to his body. Rogers baited one of the hooks and handed the pole to Gaylord. Then he baited one for himself. He heard an owl and hooted back at it. Then, together they threw their lines.

"Bet ya I catch the first one," grinned Gaylord.

"You won't if you stay there … better try over here."

He didn't mind. After all he didn't know anything about fishing but Glenn did. They were silent after he had moved to the spot Rogers had indicated.

"What kind of fish are in here?" whispered Gaylord.

"Perch and catfish."

"I hope I catch a perch."

"I hope you do too," smiled Rogers. Let him catch one, he prayed. Let his hook go under real quick and let him pull out a perch …

"I've got one …" Gaylord cried and pulled a small sand perch out of the water. "I've got a fish."

"Damn if you haven't. Want me to take him off for you?"

"Yeah, but don't hurt him," giggled Gaylord seriously. Rogers laughed. "He's already hurt."

"He's not so small, is he?"

"He's not so big," grinned Rogers holding the perch in his hands which he stretched out to Gaylord. "Here," he grinned, "want him?"

"No … don't they stick?"

"Feel."

He felt of the flopping fish in Rogers' hand, and added, "Isn't he pretty?"

"Yeah … wish he was bigger."

"He's big enough … bait my hook and I'll catch a lulu this time."

"Ok … I'll spit on it for luck."

They stood motionless for a long time and the warm fragrant air filled his lungs deeply. Gaylord wished for another bite, and Rogers 313