1 1 8 Summer 



they were dressed yesterday, and they're gettin' a wesh 

 this morning. Come up in a week and see the dif- 

 ference of them.' 



' I am rather sorry you are so much engaged as I 

 had a slight favour to ask, but take a taste of this to 

 kill the odour of these animals,' and I handed him a 

 flask with which I had specially armed myself for I 

 have not spent so much time in the country without 

 learning the surest way to ' fetch ' a gamekeeper. 

 ' The truth is,' I continued, ' I've taken a strong notion 

 to fish for pike, but I have no suitable rod, and besides 

 I don't know anything about it, and would like a hint 

 from you.' 



This was enough. A strong rod and line could 

 easily be procured, and for the rest I learned that my 

 baits were as likely as not to meet with success, 

 ' only/ said my mentor honestly, ' I never try .pike 

 myself except with the net ; ' his information was all 

 second-hand. As I went away to meet him in a 

 couple of hours, when, as he thought, the dogs would 

 be washed, the ferrets fed, and other pressing duties 

 done I carelessly remarked, ' I would stand you a 

 bottle of the best whisky, Robson, if you could put 

 me up to getting that pike at the willow-tree some 

 time this week.' 



' If you mean it I'll try,' answered the gamekeeper. 



That afternoon at four o'clock I might have been 

 seen with a gigantic rod twenty feet long, and of tre- 

 mendous weight, labouring at my accustomed place, 



