314 Fish Stories 



ing his coat open and displaying a big badge. " Fm the 

 deputy game-warden." 



" Well, I reckon you don't know who I am," retorted Dan. 



" Well, who are you ? " asked the officer, taking out a 

 little book. 



" I'm the damndest liar in Los Angeles County," replied 

 Dan. 



The only occasion upon which I have been really im- 

 pressed with what might be termed the intelligence of fishes, 

 was when they are caring for their eggs and young; but all 

 this bravery and skill comes from the strange paternal in- 

 stinct, which is developed to an extraordinary degree at 

 certain times. But under ordinary circumstances the aver- 

 age fish is a stupid creature. If it were not, there would 

 not be so many fish stories. 



