Trouting. 55 



fish ! Lead him in here. Yes, a nice little fish of close on a pound. Ah ! 

 you didn't see that fish." 



" No ; hut I fancied that I had a rise. He came under water, and yet he 

 made no sign." 



" Yes, he did, and it is the only sign a fish of that kind does make 

 oftentimes. The line as it was curving round stopped for the briefest half 

 second, as if it had touched a twig. Always strike when you see a check. 

 Pitch closer to the bank ; I thought under that burdock I saw a dimple, and 

 if so, it wiU perhaps be a good fish. Ah ! as I thought, I saw the gentleman, 

 and a good one he is ! " 



" Confound him ! Now he fights for those reeds. Now he slides out 

 again! I'U bring him round into that little bay." 



"He's not half done yet; and if you get him in too soon you may get 

 into grief. N ow you may persuade him if he will come ! No, what 

 another shoot? Now then for it ! " Yes, the best fish yet — a pound and 

 three-quarters nearly — not quite so well made up as some, but a bonny fish. 

 Well, Penton, and how goes it below ?" 



" There's a fish or two rising, sir, in the pool and below the hut ; but the 

 fly is not on yet, to speak of." 



" Go round the other side and peep over that hedge just above the 

 hatches in that bit of eddy close under the bank. I have seen a big fish 

 there once or twice. Bring me word if he is there, and if he looks Hke 

 feeding." 



Anon Penton returns with the tidings that there is a real good one 

 there — two pounds and a half — and he looks as if he was likely to take, 

 though not rising at present." 



" Can you get below where you can see the fish, and tell us whether he 

 moves at all?" 



" I can do that, sir, from the hatches." 



" Then go and stand there and let us know. Now, Crayon, pitch your 

 fly across just below that spear and let it go quietly down. Did he move, 

 Penton ? " 



" No, sir, not that tinie." 



" Again ! " 



