FORESr, LAKE, AND RIVER 



the shades of coloring flash out in rainbow lines, 

 as if a halo of gorgeous tints were marking the 

 death of a king, as king indeed he is, weighing 

 eight and one-half pounds. 



A long fight, a strong fight, and a plucky death. 

 Inch by inch the battle had been waged ; one by 

 one only had each counter-movement been met. 

 Lomay, the stoic, even grunts out, " Good," — high 

 praise from his lips ; while I, tired by the exertion, 

 rest content, filling and lighting my brier, as 

 smoother waters are reached. At last we land, and 

 soon beside a glowing fire each and every move of 

 the contest is fought over again in our talk. 



This day was a memorable one, and now, as the 

 king looks down at me with his simulated eye of 

 glass, I see him as if alive on the wall of my den, 

 and I dream of the invasion of his domain and of 

 his capture ; and could he but speak, I am sure he 

 would say : " I had fair play, even if kingdom and 

 life were lost." So would I in sparkling wine 

 drink to his memory in praise of his nerve, his 

 beauty and strength, and the royal sport he gave. 



64 



