SALMON 235 



so by dint of rubbing it against stones, and by pushing it about 

 in all directions, the tormentor was at last got rid of. 



" A careful note was made of this insect, so that we might 

 give it a wide berth if any of us met it again, and this done, 

 we rested quietly till the sun's slantendicular rays illumined the 

 depths of the Dee, but unlike the fishes that I once heard a 

 bright-plumaged female Foe describe to a male, instead of cry- 

 ing out, perspiring and using bad language, we splashed about in 

 the heat until we were tired out and glad to rest again. While 

 lying in tranquil enjoyment, we presently noticed another re- 

 markable insect just over our heads, but it was totally unlike 

 the one that had brought me to such trouble, for it moved 

 with quicker jerks, while it had a beautiful blue body which 

 glittered in the sun ; it had also blue legs, but no eyes in its 

 back. Nevertheless I regarded it with suspicion, but before 

 I could say a warning word a hungry comrade had seized the 

 brilliant little animal, while as at the same second I saw the 

 nearly invisible string reaching to the Foe on the bank, I 

 realised that my friend would have to face the same danger 

 I had so recently escaped from. 



" Hastening to his side, I told him to do exactly as I had 

 done ; he took my advice to the letter, but, alas ! after making 

 his leap into the air he was still tightly fastened to the Foe. 

 Repeatedly he leapt, but it was all useless, and then I took a 

 look towards the bank, when behold this time it was a female 

 Foe that held the bending wand, while behind her stood a 

 male Foe, whose hands clutched a long stick, at the end of 

 which glittered a cruel-looking, big, bright metal hook. Over 

 the face of the male Foe there then came the same expression 

 I had so often seen appear as they drank from the small metal 

 cups which so many of them carried in their pockets, while 

 over the face of the female Foe there spread a similar look of 

 content, only we had noticed that this expression in their faces 

 was usually produced by something the male Foe had whispered 

 in their ears. Alas for my poor friend, I could but shudder as 



