would be dragged into the river. Nevertheless, she hung on bravely.

"Harvey, Harvey, come quick. I can't pull it in. Come quick."

He rushed to her assistance. The two children began pulling together.
Harvey's eyes grew almost as big as his companion's.

"Beth, I believe you've caught a whale."

It was a very hard tug for them, but finally something black wiggled
out of the water. Beth gave a little cry.

"Harvey, it's a snake. I don't want it, do you?"

His eyes sparkled. "It's no snake, Beth. It's an eel and a beauty
too. My, what a monster!"

"Are you sure it is not a snake?"

"Of course I am. Darkies call them second cousins to snakes and won't
eat them, but they are fine eating. My, just see him squirm. Isn't he
big, though? You're a brick, Beth, to catch him."

By this time, the eel was safely landed on the wharf, and proved to be
indeed a monster. It was a wonder that the children had ever been able
to pull him in. Harvey tried to unhook him, but failed; for just as
the boy thought he had him, the eel would slip away.

"Let's take him up to the house on the line. I want to show him to
mamma," cried Beth.