150 THROUGH GASA LAND. 



to the surface, when off it went up river, directly 

 against the current. A sharp strike informed me 

 that I had sent the barb home, and I had an excit- 

 ing five or six minutes. Ultimately I got my prey 

 ashore, and it would have weighed — unless my skill 

 in such matters has lost its cunning — close on 1 2 lbs. 

 Three more fish were taken of less dimensions 

 than the last-mentioned, when Sunday, wearying 

 with watching the work in which he took no in- 

 terest, asked permission to go in search of honey, as 

 he knew from certain indications that there was an 

 abundance of that luxury to be found in the neigh- 

 bourhood. After my henchman's departure, I cap- 

 tured the largest fish I had yet taken — I should 

 think it scaled good 15 lbs., and was of the same 

 species formerly landed ; then all ceased biting, and 

 not a nibble could I get. This slow work made me 

 drowsy. The situation was well suited for a nap, as 

 it was protected from the sun, so I stuck the butt of 

 my rod in the ground, the point stretching out well 

 over the pool, with a fresh bait upon the hook. I 

 thought I would just take forty winks — not a 

 moment more — so cuddling up my rifle between my 

 legs and arms, I dozed off. How long I slept I 

 know not — probably, from the difference of the sun's 

 altitude, a couple of hours — when I was brought to 

 the consciousness of my position by a shriek — I 

 could not call it otherwise — from Sunday. In a 

 moment I was myself. In front of me, in the pool, 



