DAYS IN DOVE DALE 71 



stone to the end of the little dell, and then 

 with a few graceful bends over her white bib 

 and tucker, she bade me good-bye. 1 



Piscator major marched along regardless 

 of these small matters. He was intent on 

 fishing; but I forgot to say in the beginning 

 that I was not I was only accompanied by 

 my walking-stick. I wanted to gain experience 

 by watching the major's movements. 



We plodded on, without fish and almost 

 without water, till we came to " Load 

 Mill." 



It was now nearly six o'clock, and we were 

 very thirsty, so instead of pursuing the river 

 down to Mill Dale, we took to the turnpike- 

 road, and climbed a terribly tough hill for a 

 very long mile till we came to "The George" 

 at Alstonefield, where we refreshed ourselves 

 with most grateful tea and bread and butter, 

 and then wended our way back by another 

 route past Alstonefield Church, and down a 



1 I am reminded by P. D. that my first ouzel was a He. 

 . . . Well, so he was, my critical friend ; but this one is a 

 She \ I know it by her white lappets and her lady-like 

 conduct. He thought of nothing but stuffing himself, and 

 only pretended to be polite. She was intent only on show- 

 ing me the way down the Dell ! 



