232 ST HOOK AND BY CBOOK. 



won't do, Sir!" but^ as we had complied with all his 

 rules, was at wits^ end to continue the argument ; how- 

 ever, as we moved on, remarking that for the day we 

 had finished with the pool, he suggested that should 

 we apply for leave it probably would be granted; but 

 this was not to the point, nor had we any desire to 

 assist in the establishment of rights claimed by his 

 employer. 



The keeper was really a very good fellow, likewise 

 his master, and later on we all became the best of friends ; 

 yet this was hardly a pleasant commencement to the 

 week's fishing, but was nothing to what was to follow. 



It was with a certain feeling of relief that we walked 

 down to the next pool, where certainly we should be 

 unmolested, and so were the fish as far as we were 

 concerned, for we did no execution with the big rod. 



The midday sun now began to hatch out the fly, so 

 as the trout were popping up in all directions the little 

 rod was put up, and after an hour or so's work claimed 

 five or six brace of nice fish ; then, shortly after, the 

 rise ceased and we gave it up, as it is weary work 

 fishing " blind " for trout in early spring. 



Leaving the trout-rod safe amongst the trees, we 

 made away down to the next salmon pool, having to 

 miss out I of a mile en route not included in the ticket, 

 and were strolling leisurely along with rod on shoulder, 

 congratulating ourselves that half the distance was 

 traversed, when our attention was arrested by shouts 

 emanating from an individual who was sawing the air 



