CH. VIII.] NOT QUITE SUCH AN IMPOSTOR. 115 



did Trout lying under "thim bushes" which he 

 "knowed" was not under five pounds. Well, I 

 set to work, and almost the very first throw I had 

 him, raising him in the exact spot which had been 

 pointed out to me. The gardener came to my 

 assistance with an extraordinary machine used for 

 dredging up gravel, or something of the kind (for 

 I had not a net with me), and between us we land- 

 ed him. No sooner was he on the bank, than my 

 friend the Irishman came running up again in a 

 state of the greatest delight, dancing round him, 

 and exclaiming, "Arragh now! didn't I tell your 

 Honour he was over five pounds?" The steelyard 

 however returned him as only three and a quarter, 

 but he certainly was one of the most beautiful and 

 perfectly fed fish I ever saw. I was so proud of 

 him, that I really could not make up my mind 

 to give him to the gentleman, who had, through 

 his butler, so kindly given me the opportunity of 

 catching him, as I doubtless ought to have done; 

 and hope that he will, though somewhat late, ac- 

 cept my best thanks for his courtesy, and this 

 expression of my regret that I was induced to 

 treat him so scurvily. 



