For it was a good-sized dog-fish, one which had to be held at head and tail lest in its twining and lashing about it should strike with its spine and do some mischief.
"Here, let me take him off," cried Bob.
"No, no; you mind the line isn't tangled," cried Bigley; but Bob gave him a push, the dog-fish, which was nearly a yard long, was set free, and began to journey about amongst Bob's line, while, when he placed his foot upon its head, the fierce creature bent half round, and then let itself go like a spring, with the effect that it struck Bob's shoe so smart a blow with one of its spines that the shoe was pierced by the toe, and it required a tug to withdraw the spine.
"Are you hurt, Bob ?" we both cried earnestly.
"No, not a bit.

My toes don't go down as far as that.

Ah, would you ?" This was to the fish, which was lashing about fiercely.
"Let me do it, Bob.

I'll kill it in no time, and I know how to manage him." "So do I," said Bob independently, as he made another attack upon the dog-fish, which resented it by a fresh stroke with its spine, this time so near to Bob's leg that he jumped back and fell over the thwart.
"I say, that was near," he cried.

"You have a try, Big." Our school-fellow wanted no second bidding, and taking hold of the line, he drew the fish's head under his right foot, pressed down its tail with his left, took out the hook, and then with his knife inflicted so serious a cut upon the creature that, when he threw it over, it only struggled feebly, as it sank slowly and was carried away.
"There's a cruel wretch!" cried Bob.