THE BROOK IN APRIL 



hold before you can get him out of 

 water. 



That is not the -way to do it. Instead, 

 you cunningly slip your hand gently along 

 from his tail toward his head. You will 

 likely go over your rolled-up sleeve; per- 

 haps it will be necessary to plunge shoul- 

 der and even head in the effort to reach 

 far enough. 



Having discounted the Plutonian water- 

 snakes you will find this but giving zest 

 to the game ; indeed, it is doubtful if you 

 know that it has happened until it is all 

 over. Your palm slides gingerly over the 

 dorsal fin and goes on till you feel the 

 gentle waving of the pectorals. Then 

 suddenly you grip a thumb and finger 

 into the gills, showing the iron hand 

 through the velvet, and with one strong 

 surge lift your fish from beneath his rock 

 and fling him high upon the bank. 

 97 



