Frank, the Young Naturalist

ing Ex

eft arm hung his fish-basket, suspended by a broad belt, which crossed his breast. In this he carried his hooks, reels, trolling-lines, dinner, and other things necessary for the trip. Brave stood quietly by his side, patiently w

climbed down into a large skiff that was

ent into the boat-house, and one brought out a pair of oars and a sail, which they intended to use if the wind sho

large numbers of these fish were caught there every season. George turned the boat's head toward this place, and, thrusting his hand into his pocket, drew out a "trolling-line," and, dropping the hook into the water behind the boat, began to unwind the line. The trolling-hook (such as is generally used in fishing for black-bass) can be used only in a strong current, or when the boat is in rapid motion through the water. The hook is concealed by fe

entered the ground when several heavy pulls at the line announced that the bait had been taken. George jerked in return, and, springing to his feet, commenced hauling in the line

, George. Don't give him an

ish-a fine bass, weighing, as near as they could guess, six pounds-leaped enti

to bring the fish within reach, so that he might assist in "landing" him. The struggle was exciting, but short. The bass wa

river on both sides. The weeds sprouted from the bottom in the spring, and by fall they reached the hight of four or five feet above the surface of the water. They were then literally swarming with wild ducks; but at the time of which we write, as it was only the latter part of June, they had not yet appeared above the water. The perch-bed was soon rea

ropped it into the water just outside of the weeds. Half a dozen hungry perch instantly rose to the surface, and one of them, we

," said Harry, as he fast

the hook and throwing it into the boat; "and

ets a little warmer; so we had better mak

ry. But soon the fish began to stop biting, and Harry, who had waited impatiently for almost five minutes for a "nibble," drew up his line and opened a locker in the stern of the boat, and, taking out a basket containing their dinner, was a

imed, "here come

," repeated Fra

wered George. "He lives in the

e could boast of many fine dwellings, the one on Tower Hill, owned by Mr. Morgan, surpassed them all, and, as is always the case in such places, every one was eager to discover who was to occupy the elegant mansion. When the house was completed, Mr. Morgan returned to New York to bring on his family, leaving three or four "servants," as he called them, to look after his affairs; and the Julia Burton landed at the wharf, one pleasant morning, a splendid open carriage, drawn by a span of jet-black horses. The carriage contained Mr. Morgan and his family, consis

to get acquainted with him; and Frank who, as we have said, lived in the outskirts of the vill

latter, continuing the conversation whi

l in the village. He's got two or three guns, half a dozen fish-poles, and, by what I hear the boys

ed them, and, when he came alongside,

ow many fish h

tring, which contained over a hundred perch

ooked up a few little perch just behind the p

swered Harry. "You see

harles. "But as soon as I know the good

good fishing-grounds a

e caught or not. But you ought to see the fishing-grounds we have in New York," he continued. "Why, ma

with a hook and li

I should like to see one of you trying to handle a ten

ired Harry, struggling

any a time. But is there

ty of

ked all over the woods this morni

ducks, pigeons, squirrels, and turkeys, and in the winter the woods are full of minks,

of you. I'll bet I can kill more game

ertion, for the fact was that they were too

continued Charles; and as he spoke he raised a light, beautifully-finished rif

conversation as long as possible, in order to hear some m

es, "and I've killed bears and deer with it, m

hat he pleased and they would believe it. His auditors, who before had been hardly able to contain themselves, were now almost bursting with lau

in the Adirondack Mountains, in the northern part of Michigan, I was attacked by Indians, and came very near being captured, and the way I fought was a c

arture just as he did, for our three boys could not possibly have contained themselves a moment longer. They could not

hink of him?" inquired Harr

ve to do with him the b

ching three hundred fish in less than half an hour, and with only one hook and line! Why, that would be ten every minute, and that is as many as two men could manage. And then for him to talk about that pop-gun of his shooting as far as acros

oat again, and laughed and s

you notice how disrespectfully he spoke of his father? He called him

Harry, after helping himself most bountifully, had placed on the middle seat, "I'm hu

after waiting patiently for half an hour without feeling a nibble, they unjointed their poles, drew up the