24 SPORT IN NORTH AMERICA. 



of the southern sun. At a short distance from the 

 spot which we had chosen for our first attempt at 

 the gentle sport, a clear rivulet flowed into the 

 pond from the mountains of La Vacquiere, as if to 

 warm its icy streams in the warmer waters of the 

 lake. Often with one of my uncles had I visited 

 this place in search of water-hens and snipe. It 

 was, in fact, an excellent place for water-fowl, and 

 from the occasional disturbance of the surface of 

 the water, it was easy to see that there were fish 

 lurking down below among the roots of the aquatic 

 vegetation. 



I had forgotten to state that, without being at 

 the time acquainted with the sporting maxims of 

 duFonilleux (whose curious pages I have since read), 

 we had brought with us a sufficient quantity of 

 ''mouth tackle," in order that we might enjoy the 

 pleasures of a breakfast alfresco. Before attacking 

 the victuals, however, it was determined upon that 

 we should fish ; so to fish we prepared forthwith. 



Max was the first to cast his line into the water. 

 Myself and the others had to put our primitive 

 tackle in order, and awkward enough we were about 

 it, you may be sure. All, however, was finally 

 arranged to the satisfaction of. everybody. 



Max was lucky enough. He had soon captured 

 two tench and a little carp, when Gabriel (friend 

 number two) cast his line into a corner of the 

 mouth of the rivulet, and drew out successively 



