"Ay, but it has no strength to bite now," said Josh. "There, we'll put um in the well, and let um lie there. You caught um--fine eight-and-thirty pound if it be an ounce. Now you shall catch another." "What!" gasped Arthur. "I say, now you shall catch another," said Josh sturdily, as he leaned over the side and washed disgorger, axe, and hook. "You won't mind half so much next time, and then your brother won't be able to crow over you." "I don't want to catch any more, thank you," said Arthur. "Oh, yes, you do," said Josh, in his quiet stubborn fashion. "Don't you say you don't. It won't be half so startling ketching the next one, and I've got a tender well-beaten bit of squid for the next bait--one as will tempt the biggest conger that is in the hole." "No, no!" whispered Arthur. "I don't want to fish any more; I don't indeed." "Hush!" whispered Josh; "you'll have them hear." Arthur was silent directly, and just then his fright was at its height with the conger that Dick had hooked, and that Will gaffed and hauled in. For as Will struck at it with the conger-bat or club, instead of there coming a dull thud as the blow fell, there was the sharp tap of wood upon wood. Will had missed this time, and the conger was apparently starting on a voyage of discovery about the boat. Arthur shrank back, but before the fish could come his way and tangle the lines Will caught Dick's about a yard above the hook, dragged the fish towards the stern, and gave it four or five paralysing blows in succession, disabling it, so that he soon had the hook out, and he and Dick stood looking at each other and panting with excitement. "Hor--hor--hor!" laughed Josh quietly as he seated himself on the thwart and leisurely began to pass the hook through the grey piece of tough soft cuttle-fish. "Look at 'em, Master Rawthur, there be a fuss over a conger not above half as big as ourn." "It was ever so much stronger," cried Dick indignantly. "Hear him, Mast Rorthur!" cried Josh. "Hor--hor--hor! There, go on, you two. We're going to give you a startler this time. There you are, sir," he whispered, holding up the bait for Arthur to see. "That's one as'll tempt um, and you see we'll have another big one before they know where they are. I say, you won't be scared of the next, will you, now?" "I'll--I'll try not to be," whispered Arthur, drawing a long breath. "Then you won't be," whispered Josh. "That's the way: in with the lead. Of course they're awk'ard things for any boy to tackle at first. I was downright frightened first one I hooked, when I was 'bout as old as you, and it warn't above half the size of the one you ketched." "Were you really frightened of it?" said Arthur in the same low tone. "Frightened, Master Taffarthur! Why, my cap come off and fell in the water, and I had to up with the killick and row after it." "But that didn't show you were frightened."