186 BOULDER REVERIES. 



bad, but by perseverance it was successful and 

 secured a dinner. 



Swift in pursuit of whatever floating object 

 attracts their gaze ; darting like trout from the 

 shadow of bank or rock where they wait, then 

 back into the depths, these creek chubs are the 

 monarch s of the pool in which they dwell. 

 They never lurk like other minnows in schools 

 near the shallows or the surface. But one or 

 two inhabit each pool. Reaching a length of six 

 or eight inches, their meat, when fried brown 

 and crisp, is sweet and nutritious, and their 

 bones few. The average farm boy of less than 

 a dozen years delights in catching them. To 

 him they are gamy. As he grows in years and 

 experience only the goggle-eye, the bass and the 

 pike are deemed worthy of attention. The 

 chubs, like a well-worn toy, lose all attractions. 

 The world is bigger in his eyes, and bigger fish 

 and bigger game alone do satisfy. 



IV. 



Dec. 28, '00. The blue of early morn has 

 given place to haze and cloud. The blast of 



