88 DAYS STOLEN FOR SPORT 



this you are much aided in doing when you can see 

 where your hne is coming from. 



'Any sort of rod will do for live-baiting for pike' 

 is quite a common saying, and, no doubt, were I called 

 upon to earn a livelihood by catching these fish I 

 should forgo the using of a somewhat costly rod that 

 gives the maximum of pleasure in favour of a straight 

 strong stick with which I could lift them out quickly. 

 A rod made for the purpose, and the best of these, 

 is the one to have : you will soon forget the cost in the 

 pleasmre of its use. 



Our man was not so ready to condemn the wire 

 as I have found most of his class to be; even when 

 asked his opinion he opened and closed his mouth 

 twice before he ventured the remark that he was 

 not yet acquainted with it; but he added, with a shake 

 of his head : 'As you know, sir, we have some big 

 uns in this lake.' 



The doctor was pleased with his rig-out, and ex- 

 pressed his thanks by sapng : 'You are a good sort, 

 my boy.' 



I repUed that I had often been told that, but so 

 far as I could remember it was always when conceding 

 starts. 



'Another word, Geen, and I won't Look 



at my float, old fellow. See it ! see it ! What does 

 it mean? There's something at it.' 



'It means, my friend, that a long dark form with 

 a villainous mouth and wide staring eyes is following 

 your bait and slowly getting nearer and nearer, ready 

 to pounce.' 



By this time the float was on its side, and the bait 

 upon the surface, where it fluttered for a moment and 

 then was carried down. The noise the winch made 

 resounded on the dark lake, where every sound was 

 heard with w^eird distinctness, and w'hen it ceased I 

 could hear the droppings on the water from a tree over- 

 head until again the winch gave another lengthened, 



