284 A YEAR OF LIBERTY ; OR, 



the weather for making a last successful trial of Larnaena and 

 E-a-li-a-nane. 



The binocular was in frequent request. After a more careful 

 survey than usual my friend deposited the instrument in his pocket, 

 and gave a sigh of relief. 



" Where did that fellow of yours steal the flag ? By Jove, sir, 

 there it is, flying in the stern-sheets of my boat." 



On nearer inspection the bunting appeared to belong to no nation 

 in particular, and turned out to be a smart apron of Miss Mary's, 

 purloined for the occasion. 



It was near one o'clock when we halted on the margin of the lower 

 lake. The miserable horse was taken from the shafts, tethered to 

 the mooring-rope, and anchored with the boat's kedge. The cart 

 was turned on end, and served as a landmark, to which the dogs 

 were secured, representing the owners of the property. The small 

 chain of lakes we were about to try formed the head of the Water- 

 ville fishery, and after the first autumn spates are usually full of 

 fish. We were soon afloat and sculling round the low treeless shores, 

 composed of patches of shingle and peat. Ere long the Major was 

 into something tolerably heavy, but languid as a fine lady ; and in 

 three or four minutes one of the boys landed a trout called white, 

 but now black as my boot, and reduced to about half its summer 

 weight. My military friend admired many old things, particularly 

 old wine and whisky, but ancient fish were his abomination. " Right 

 about face, in with him ! " was the order. Presently it came to my 

 turn. Then we were engaged simultaneously ; but the cry of the 

 ruthless Major was the same, " In with him ! " In fact, the inhabi- 

 tants of the water seemed to have gone into a general mourning. 

 After losing an hour and more we got the boat into the upper lake, 

 and here we succeeded in landing half a score of trout in decent 

 condition. A wilder day I have seldom seen. Larnaena and 

 E-a-li-a-nane mere mountain pools were breaking with a sullen 

 plash on their pebbly margins, the low clouds were hurrying along 

 in black and threatening masses, and the dark, overhanging hills 

 looked particularly savage. My companion, however, was bent on 



