ART VERSUS SPORT 171 



fishing occasionally, as well as tranquillity. " For 

 instance, now," said I, "there is a sea trout in that 

 run of water that will make your heart dance, if you 

 should happen to hook him ; I saw him put his 

 head up at the cheek of the current, and he had a 

 wilful look, and is likely to make most pernicious 

 runs when hooked ; for these sort of fish are very 

 active and strong. If you will give me leave, I 

 will change your trout fly for a larger one, and 

 instruct you how to proceed, as from the nature of 

 your tackle I conclude you are not accustomed to 

 fish of this description. There now — go a little 

 higher up the stream ; throw above him, and bring 

 the fly gently round ; and if he comes at it, do not 

 strike him too hard, or you will break your slender 

 tackle. If you get hold of him, we shall see how 

 he is to be managed ; he will put your tranquillity 

 to the test, I promise you." 



He grasped the rod, and held it aloft ; then, 

 after a considerable pause, " He is exactly in the 

 right spot," said he. " Precisely," I replied. 



" What a rich red tone of colour he has, — how 

 well it tells in the shadow ! He will come in 

 capitally." 



" He is not red, I assure you, but clear as silver, 

 and I wish he may come in capitally." 



" Bless me ! he looks red to me, and I must 

 take him immediately ; he is exactly the thing I 

 wanted." 



So saying, to my amazement, he dropped the 

 rod, and pulled out a sketch book, in which he 

 began painting a red cow in water colours that was 

 reposing under a hawthorn bush on the opposite 



