The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 3 — page 190: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

574 OVER THE DANGER LINE. superintending, on full pay, the building and equipment of a magnificent yacht, in which Mrs. Wilson, formerly known as Sibyl Stanley, hopes to accompany her husband on a iuxurious trip round the world. flarry Collingwood. THE END. OVER THE DANGER LINE. A thrilling experience on a fishing trip—Face to face with eternity on the brink of Niagara’s precipice—The mistaken impression that brought two men to the verge of death, I? was midsummer, and a college classmate and I were camping on one of _ the little islands that dot the upper Niagara River. The next year’s prizes in Latin and mathematics had constrained each of us to include in our outfit books that could not be termed light, and we devoted a part of each day to earnest study. Nevertheless, we found plenty of time for sport: We soon became familiar with all the usual ‘‘ best spots for fishing.’’ ‘These places, although not exhausted, had by degrees lost their charm. We longed for a change, for novelty. And our desire was unexpectedly fulfilled. We had rowed down toward the head of Goat Island, and were foolishly permitting ourselves to experience the thrilling sensation of approaching the danger line, the uncertain boundary between safety and the possibility of being drawn into the rapids that begin nearly a mile above the great pre- cipice. My friend was rowing, and I was idly trolling, but with no thought of sport. Suddenly I felt a fierce tug at my line. Nothing but a black bass, and a large one, could show such vim, and so it proved. After an exciting battle, a beauty was landed in the boat. The next day, and for several succeeding days, we returned to this place, and gradually became familiar with its characteristics. The favorite place for the fish seemed to be well down toward the head of Goat Island, where the water divides, part to go over the American Falls, and part to go over the Horse Shoe. I hardly think that the selection of this place necessarily indi- cated an intelligent design on the part of the fish, but it is certain that, in «“ this spot, they will ever experience the greatest possible immunity from | fishermen. ‘The place was much farther down than we dared to venture. To overcome this difficulty we added to the length of our line, more and more, till we arrived at the measurement which appeared to give the best re- sult. We also gained in experience as to just how far it was safe to go with our boat. We would let ourselves drift down stream’till by pulling an easy, steady stroke, the effect of the current would be neutralized. While one rowed, the other would slowly let out the line. It seldom happened that this would be exhausted before a capture was effected. It was the close of our summer vacation, when late one afternoon, we sought the usual location for a farewell bit of sport. Our luck had been even better than usual. My friend was rowing, and I had let out the line, by mutual agreement, for the last time. Eomicbooks ,