ON THE LYOX. 195 



after which the fish broke its hold. Had four 

 more rises in different pools, but no fastens, 

 although I spared neither time nor change of lure 

 to effect one. A fine sky and good water, but fish 

 rose shyly, and only nipped at the fly. 



August was nearly ended, the weather settling 

 again after the floods, and river getting small. 

 From the scanty water there were only two pools 

 I had much trust in, so I paid them a stately visit 

 in the " general merchant's " equipage. In one of 

 these pools I sprang a fish five times, fixing him 

 at the fifth offer, and losing him from being ten- 

 derly hooked. In the other I killed a small fish 

 of 6 lb., but very clean and handsome. 



After a tract of fine harvest-days the skies over- 

 cast, and weather broke into continued heavy 

 rain. The first fair morning I rode up the glen 

 alone on the lazy strawberry cob, and found the 

 water in good large ply. I had scarcely wetted 

 my line before the clouds gathered, and poured 

 down their bucketfuls. The river soon began to 

 wax, which of course kept down the fish, although 

 I tried the best casts with large and likely flies. 



Expecting a friend to dinner, and time being 



