126 SY SOOK AND BY CROOK. 



to a much ^eater depth, as clear as crystal, over a 

 beautifully clean bed composed chiefly of chalk and 

 small gravel, out of which grow here and there bunches 

 of long slender weed, swaying to and fro with ever- 

 changing form, affbrding excellent cover for the fish 

 and nurseries for the different kinds of larvae, either in 

 their initial or final forms, on which the trout feed. 



The sun streaming through the open window awoke 

 us early next morning, proclaiming just such another 

 as the previous day ; and as upon reaching the river not 

 a rise could be seen, we decided to have breakfast at once. 



On previous occasions, under average circumstances, 

 without fishing particularly hard, we had generally 

 managed to annex four to five brace of sizeable fish, 

 but now, with this scorching sun and clear blue sky, 

 chances of sport seemed doubtful ; however, as will be 

 seen, it was decreed otherwise, and we were doomed to 

 agreeable disappointment. 



After breakfast we again sallied forth with the in- 

 tention of making the best of a bad job; and such,indeed, 

 it appeared likely to be, the sun beating down on the 

 glass-like surface of the stream, unruffled even by a 

 breath of air, and we considered ourselves fairly fortu- 

 nate when by two o'clock we had managed to kill a 

 brace and a half between us — no great work it must be 

 admitted ; then, feeling rather done up by the intense 

 heat, we followed the example set by the cattle in seeking 

 the welcome shade offered by a chestnut-tree, at the 

 same time disposing of our frugal lunch. 



