82 WHEN WATERS 



upon any other fisherman as an intruder. 

 He was leaning over a low wall over- 

 looking the water on this occasion. 

 Having also seen the fish, he no doubt 

 guessed what my purpose was. 



Unfortunately, the only possible 

 point from which I could attack my prey 

 was within reach of the water, should the 

 miller choose to switch it on. But he 

 appeared to be satisfied in his own mind 

 that the fish was not only his, but that his 

 it would remain. It was beyond his belief 

 that anyone could take an old stager in 

 the broad June sunlight, with the water 

 low and as clear as gin. 



Well hidden behind a boulder, I kept 

 an eye on my prize as I got things in 

 readiness. Only once had he risen, and 

 that was to a struggling Coch y bondu 

 which he could not resist. He rose to 

 it gently, merely sucked it under, as it 

 were, with his lips, and returned to his 

 lair. That, I thought, was surely a pro- 



