FISH MEETS CANNY ANGLER 93 



Long it had waged, and at last had reached 

 as far down as the nest of Friendly. It was 

 a fever of poison. Up at the head of the 

 lake was a mine, started two months back 

 by a corporation which sensed the wealth 

 of the hills. 



Poisonous water from this mine ran 

 copper-colored down into the lake. The 

 stones on the surrounding bottom turned 

 brick red. Waters crystal before were now 

 polluted by a pervasive death. The 

 medium which gives life to the fish as air 

 gives it to man was corrupted. They 

 breathed it, but it did not satisfy; gulped it 

 more freely, but the very increase of quan- 

 tity poisoned them the more. 



True fishermen had seen it and com- 

 plained. But the corporation's profit would 

 have been cut one thirtieth of one per cent 

 had the copper-colored poison been di- 

 verted to a cesspool and refined, so it was 

 not done. 



But there was in existence an organiza- 

 tion formed for just such a time as this ; and 

 it took a vigorous hand. The American 

 Game Protective Association was apprised 

 of the situation and acted vigorously and at 



