14 ANGLERS' EVENINGS. 



before getting a horse, and it was four or five o'clock 

 before we got away again. 



After a drive of a couple of miles, the road began 

 to skirt a charming river. The result may be easily 

 imagined. The angling itch begins to make itself felt, 

 and presently we can stand it no longer, but bribe 

 the boy to pull up, while we see what the stream 

 affords. In a short time I had four trout, then two at 

 once, and by the time we got sight of Vinje, perched on 

 the hill three miles away (the place we had made our 

 destination in consequence of the attractions of fishing), I 

 had twenty. Now, we were by a pool which I declined to 

 leave, though it was beginning to darken and my friend 

 wanted to get on ; so he agreed to take on the traps 

 while I finished my fishing. I could then walk on to the 

 station. The fish I took were not large, but I saw one 

 rise constantly, just beyond my throw, which was larger 

 than his fellows, and I determined to , have him. As 

 I threw towards him, my fly was taken once more, but 

 not by my fish ; then another trout comes in, but 

 inijie is still bobbing about there, sucking in every- 

 thing that comes near him. After many tries I venture 

 to advance an inch or two, pulling up my wading 

 stockings with my left hand so as to keep the water, which 

 is nearly on a level with the tops, from giving me that 

 delightful foot-bath which most fishermen have expe- 

 rienced. Once more I throw with all my force, and this 

 time am rewarded, my trout has taken his last rise and 

 is now madly rushing about the deep pool, in vigorous 

 but fruitless rage. Soon he is on the bank, a nice trout 



