80 FISH HAKVESTING. 



My first attempt in the swift scour was a 

 lamentable failure. Warily I threw my newly- 

 created monster well across the stream, and, 

 according to the most approved method, let it 

 slowly wash towards me, conveying to the rod 

 and line a delicate and tempting tremble; not a 

 rise, not a nibble ; my hopes wavered, and I began 

 to think these trout wiser than I had given them 

 credit for. I tried the pool as a last chance; so, 

 leaning over the rock, I let my tempter drop 

 into the water ; it made a splash like throwing 

 in a stone; but imagine my delight, ye lovers 

 of the gentle art, when a tremendous jerk 

 told me I had one hooked and struggling to 

 get free ! Depending on the strength of my 

 tackle, I flung him out on the bank; and ad- 

 mitting all that may be said against me as 

 being barbarous and cruel, I confess to standing 

 over the dying fish, and admiring his brilliant 

 colour, handsome shape, fair proportion and, last 

 thought not least, contemplated eating him ! I 

 pitied him not as, flapping and struggling on the 

 grass, his life ebbed away, but thought only of 

 the skill I had displayed in duping him, and the 

 feast in store for me on returning to camp. 



Having discovered a secret, I pressed eagerly 

 on to turn it to the best advantage, and that 



