A LUCKY EVENING. 133 



He took a few short runs and then confined opera- 

 tions to the deep water in the centre of the pool, 

 fighting a good stand-up battle without shifting his 

 ground. 



This game continued for some minutes, when, for a 

 change, he suddenly made off down stream to the tail 

 of the pool, where Ave had to hold him hard, as it was 

 impossible to pass the trees which grew right down to 

 the water's edge. 



He tugged and tugged again until we fully expected 

 to see the line part ; however, he gave it up and headed 

 straight up stream, where, after about 20 minutes* 

 further resistance, we were able to haul him alongside 

 the bank. 



By this time it had become quite dusk, and with 

 difficulty could we see to gaff him, the perpendicular 

 bank making it no easy matter at any time ; however, 

 we at last got him safely to grass, a nice well-grown 

 fresh fish of 19 lb. 



Darkness was by this time fast setting in, and a 

 drizzling rain falling, calculated to soak one through in 

 about half an hour ; but we determined not to give it up 

 without affording our first friend another chance, so with 

 some difficulty, on account of the darkness, we waded 

 again to the head of the stream and commenced casting 

 with the same fly, which had come scathless through 

 the previous ordeal. 



We thought we had passed the fish, and, on account 

 of the darkness, were rather pleased than otherwise 



