this trout in our business, because we got to have breakfast in the
morning."

"Hold on!" said Giraffe, with emphasis; "don't forget that the terms of
our wager state distinctly that no one must offer the slightest
assistance in landing a fish. If you're after that fish solely for
breakfast, why, any of us'll be glad to lend you a hand; but then it
don't count. How about that, Thad?"

"You're correct, Giraffe," replied the other; "but I hope Bumpus lands
his prize, all right, because fresh fish would taste fine to-morrow
morn."

It was a little struggle in the mind of Giraffe as to whether the
sportsman spirit, or the love of good feeding would prevail; but at last
he also cried out: "I hope he gets it, too, sure I do! Good for you,
Giraffe!" exclaimed Thad, perhaps purposely mistaking this for a spirit
of fairness that would do the tall scout credit as a true sportsman.

Meanwhile all of them watched Bumpus tugging at his line. The fish was
full of fight, and evidently objected to furnishing a breakfast for a
party of Boy Scouts off on a vacation cruise; but by sheer strength, and
not a little good luck in the bargain rather than fisherman's skill,
Bumpus finally man aged to haul his struggling prize aboard.

"It's a trout, as sure as pop!" exclaimed Step Hen, as they all bent
over the wiggling and flapping captive, and Giraffe struck a match, the
better to see its nature.

"Whee! let me tell you he pulled to beat the band too!" the proud angler