DAYS STOLEN FOR SPORT 57 



you needed a change so much ! Don't you think so?* 



At mathematical problems that have given quan- 

 tities sufficient for their solution, without the aid of 

 the algebraic x, I am really strong, but the wife's 

 involved questions I try to jump, as I have a notion 

 that in some mysterious way they serv^e a purpose 

 without their answers. 



'Would 3^ou mind, dear, taking the fly rod and 

 catching me a bleak, while I change my tackle?' 



'I have one, Phil. Bring the can,' came before 

 I was quite prepared, so there was httle delay before 

 the freshly caught fish was swa\dng and dancing on 

 a bubbhng run as if in fear of an enemy below. Such 

 movements sometimes rouse a trout, and frequently 

 a pike, to come to the surface with a rush, although 

 at that particular time they would make no effort 

 for the daintiest morsel that might be going by them 

 unencumbered and without fear. This kind of 

 cowardice is not pecuhar to fish, and, although it is 

 far from being a pleasant thought, we have to think 

 it a law of nature that the weak shall be at the cruel 

 mercy of the strong. 



A consequential pike, for which I would not have 

 crouched so low, seized the little fish, and, after darting 

 here and there and fighting lustily in vain, opened his 

 mouth and shook his head to give back what he had 

 taken; but all too late, and he fell a victim. 



The pool was spoilt for a time, so, having no thought 

 of fishing, I stretched myself upon the grass in such 

 a way that my arms came to the wall, and, with my 

 chin on them, I peered into the clear depth below, 

 to find the only apparent movement on the gravel 

 was caused by fleeting shadows of travelling flecks 

 of foam. But my farewell peep, intended for the 

 shadows, showed a scurrying host of minnows that 

 were being snapped at by perch, which could be 

 plainly seen mouthing the dainty tit-bits. Perch 

 are a prize for the table, so I was soon wide awake and 



