220 WATERSIDE SKETCHES. 



" The fish was at that moment making a fresh spurt, and it 

 behoved rne to be wary ; but be the consequences what 

 they might, I was bound to look into her face, and express 

 my thanks with eye as well as lip. Well, never mind. There 

 are obvious reasons why it would be better to say no more 

 upon this part of the proceeding. 



"As to the pike, there he is, stuffed and still in the lower 

 case. Judge for yourself the fun we I advisedly deem it a 

 partnership matter had before we made his personal 

 acquaintance. We brought the punts close together, and 

 before I knew her intentions, my newly made friend had 

 stepped nimbly into my boat and was at my side, quietly 

 biding the time to strike. I wished to transfer the rod to 

 her, and take the gaffing upon myself ; she pleaded hard to 

 have the honour, and I vow that if she had pleaded to gaff 

 me, in lieu of the fish, so charmingly did she plead, I would 

 have interposed no objection. 



" Half an hour fully were we privileged to stand side by 

 side waiting for the end. To tell you the whole truth, I 

 delayed the consummation till for very shame I had to 

 present the butt of the rod to the fish ; and even that would 

 not have been ventured upon, but for a hint from the lady 

 that the fish's extremity was my opportunity. Thereupon I 

 closed with him, brought him to reaching distance, and 

 enjoyed the felicity of beholding the sharp gaff unerringly 

 employed, and the monster hauled, viciously plunging, out 

 of his native element. 



" l Ha ! ha ! hooked foul !' quoth the nut-brown maid, with 

 a little dance of astonishment. It was even so ; the fish 

 was, as anglers put it, ' hooked foul.' 



" Then up and spake the being in the other boat, who had 



