A CRAPTEB OF ACCIDENTS. 213 



We fished fairly well down, when a rising fish urged 

 us to attempt a few more casts ; but wading in deep 

 water on rocking stones is no very pleasant job, especi- 

 ally when, as in this case, the surface is barely sufficient 

 to accommodate one's feet, with deep water yawning on 

 either side. 



To tell the truth, at the last cast, we were just as 

 pleased that no fish had caught on, and were about to 

 lift the rod, when down went the top and we were 

 fairly into a big 'un. He took a long run, then forced 

 his way up again, and holding him lightly so as not to 

 stir him to resistance, we, with difficulty and consider- 

 able danger of a ducking, threaded our way to the 

 pool's edge and dropped down to opposite him. 



A fairly easy task now remained such as the angler 

 meets with on most days, and we were about to give 

 him a fair taste, when, without apparent cause, the line 

 came lightly back towards us, the single gut having 

 parted where the fly-hank is attached to the cast, just 

 below the loop. 



It probably had been cracked in the strong wind, 

 and so we lost our fish. 



This pool, as may be imagined, had had a pretty good 

 doing, yet, the water being so low, we could but have 

 recourse to it the following day, and had no reason to 

 regret the choice, for after a few casts with the minnow 

 were soon into a big fish. 



By hopping from one submerged rock to another, 

 with the help of the landing-net handle, we contrived to 



