210 SY aOOK AND BY CBOOK. 



that proved the rule, for up to this time, when on land, 

 both had shown a natural affinity for each other, and 

 have continued to do so since. 



There was clearly nothing for it but pursuit, so, with 

 a few words of thanksgiving, we retraced our steps 

 shorewards and made for the nearest shallow, to inter- 

 cept our property, then wading out took a seat on a 

 hospitable stone in the line of drift, and at length re- 

 gained it. 



We again sought the rocks, taking care this time to 

 place the net in safer keeping, and started with the 

 minnow. 



Some fish were rising beyond the reach of the fly-rod, 

 so we had put up a 14-feet bamboo casting-rod, fitted 

 with upright rings, and attached to it a patent reel 

 which effected a long cast, without the addition of lead 

 to the line. 



This tackle we had acquired to command catches 

 which were otherwise inaccessible, by reason of trees, 

 etc., and, as far as casting was concerned, the combination 

 acted exceedingly well, but we had had no experience 

 of it with fish. 



At the first cast the minnow fell about ten yards from 

 our feet straight across the stream ; at the second, the 

 radius was increased a yard, and almost before the bait 

 had settled down it was seized with such force that, 

 being scarcely prepared for so sudden an onslaught, the 

 rod was nearly wrenched from our grasp. 



A couple of angry jerks followed, then up darted the 



