Page:Rover Boys Down East.djvu/138

128 falling overboard. "Cut der line! Ton't let him pite me!"

"It's no snake!" said Sam, quickly. "But what is it?"

"I'll soon know," answered Dick, and pulled in on the line a little more. Then the object came alongside the boat and the boys set up a shout.

"A piece of old rope!"

"With a knot for a snake's head!"

"And a rock at the other end. This must have been used by somebody for an anchor."

"That's it!"

"Say, vos you sure dot ain't no vater snake?" asked Hans, timidly. He had crawled to the bow of the boat, as far from the line as possible.

"See for yourself, Hans," answered Dick.

Hans went forward cautiously and his eyes opened in wonder. Then a sickly grin spread over his round face.

"Huh! Dot's a fine fish, ain't he? Say, Sam, vos you goin' to fry him in putter oder in lard alretty?" And at this quaint query all the other boys set up a hearty laugh.

"Guess you'd better give up fishing now," said Dick, after the merriment was over. "We've got enough for supper, and the best thing we can do is to reach the end of the lake and fix up our