TRPUT-POOL. — "in may." ^85 



Here was the most promising pool for a kisty trout with 

 which my eyes were ever gladdened. The water came 

 tumbling and tearing down the beautiful river among the 

 boulders, and by a sloping fall slid swiftly into the basin 

 l)elow, around which stood large forest trees with thick 

 undergrowth down to the water's edge. It was beautiful 

 in itself, and delightfully enough situated and environed 

 to be, under the surface, a very Garden of Eden for the 

 trout family. I knew better,— but, while waiting for the 

 boat, which the guides had taken across the river above, 

 and off into the woods, before they knew of our inability 

 to cross,— I rigged my rod; and standing upon a shelving 

 rock almost in the middle of the stream, yielded to the 

 temptation which I knew was a delusion, and cast my 

 prettiest and longest. It was of no use. This was not a 

 spring-hole, and no trout in good society would so far for- 

 get his position as to remain in town after the first of July, 

 —or admit that he was at home if he was unable to be off 

 at the Summer watering places. The hermit of Owens's 

 Plains told us, however, for our comfort, of marvelous 

 catches in this same pool — ''in May.' 



As we climbed up the river bank and emerged from the 

 forest into the clearing, we were astonished to tind the 

 jovial, careless and happy 'Squire, quite at home, talking 

 with Grimshaw and exhibiting a large trout. There he 

 was, in his shirt sleeves, with his rod and his one trout, 

 without coat, blanket, provisions, boat or guide. 

 "Lost again, 'Squire?" 

 <'^o —I'm here; and what's more, I've got the boss trout, 



