124 The Carnatic Carp. Chait. x. 



reasonable distance, for it is for a long way so forest- clad that you 

 could not get to land with an upright rod. Well netted, Kuti, into 

 the boat with him. Five pound if he is an ounce. You have 

 taken nearly a quarter of an hour over him. You ought to have 

 had him in very little over five minutes. You see his mouth is 

 much smaller comparatively than a Mahseer's, and he is a somewhat 

 thicker built, less active- looking fish. However, we can discuss that 

 hereafter. Do not waste time looking at him now. Let us get 

 back to the same place, and try for another out of the same shoal. 

 It was just a little below the trunk of that large wild mango tree 

 up there that you hooked him. You have floated down a little 

 and must make up to it again. Fish all about that place. Well, 

 that is not so bad, taking another 1\ lb. and alj lb. fish out of the 

 same swim. 



You see the advantage of working a shoal when you have lit 

 upon one. But do not work it to death. They are not rising to 

 you now. They seem to have had quantum sujjkit. Depend 

 upon it some wary old fogie has " twigged " you and " blabbed," 

 with one of those wise shakes of the head about the imprudence of 

 youth, and they are all looking at him to see if he is right, or only 

 a fogie. If you throw again you will give him a chance of venting 

 a provoking " I told you so." It is better they took him for a fool 

 than you for a rogue. So move on to " pastures new," and after 

 you have gone, there will be a row in the house. Natural food 

 will come down stream, the old fellow, full of his croaking, will 

 abstain and advise all to be "varra carefu,' " but some youngster will 

 take it, smack his lips, and turn the laugh against the canny one; 

 and the next morning, when you come round again, you will find 

 his Sage advice has been dissipated, and even his own beliefs so 

 shaken, that you will be as warmly received as ever, and, may be. 

 take in the old fellow himself. 



Do you see those monkeys moving about feeding in the trees 

 down there ? Mark the place, for we must fish it very carefully 

 when we come to it ; my impression is that when monkeys are 

 moving in trees overhanging the water, the result is that more 

 IVuit and more insects (hop down into the water than ordinarily, 

 and that the fish congregate more or less from the neighbourhood 

 to watch for them. As you get nearer, and the monkeys notice 

 you, they will commence vociferating and violently shaking tin 



