FISH MEETS CANNY ANGLER 87 



proudly happy, he in high protective eager- 

 ness, swinging with a vast confidence and 

 show of power, though his force was now 

 tempered with kindliness. 



Friendly had not known him in his days 

 of surliness, so she looked for nothing but 

 good in him, and, looking, found it. He 

 was model. Never had male guarded nest 

 with more jealous care. 



A picnicking party was on shore one day; 

 and a boy of ten was allowed to go in the 

 water. His course took him within sight 

 of Friendly's nest, and his curiosity took 

 him further. He waded toward it. 



Old Black Bass watched him approach 

 with growing apprehension. Friendly 

 swam nearer as if to seek his protection. 

 The boy kept on. The water was too deep 

 for him to reach the nest, but the bass did 

 not know this. He was already too near 

 for them. 



Old Black Bass began swimming nerv- 

 ously back and to, back and to, like the 

 ceaseless padding of a caged leopard. His 

 aspect was fierce. The boy was dropping 

 his hand into the water and catching up 

 handfuls scattering it like a sower his seed. 



