THREE FISH 59 



Well, it was the work of a second. For as the 

 minnow touched the water there was a rush, a tug, and 

 a fish was on. It was too dark to make out much, 

 though I could feel he was a biggish fish. But there 

 was little or no fight in him, and he never travelled — i^C.AycxM^ 

 far. And it was not long before I could just see his 

 belly turn up white. 



He was safely on, but how to get him out ! He 

 was far out of reach, and to climb down that 

 slippery wall in the dark, hampered by rod and 

 landing-net, with any chance of success was clearly 

 impossible. 



I shouted, I yelled. But do you think those 

 women could hear? Not a bit of it. What with 

 their sewing machines and the rush of the water 

 through the gate, my voice was lost. 



But the high-road ran behind the mill, and so it fell 

 that Policeman X, passing that way on his beat, heard 

 loud cries and, suspecting murder, came to see. 



I always remember that policeman with gratitude. 

 He was indeed a friend in need. Tips ? I don't 

 believe it crossed his mind. He was a true sports- 

 man, and could not see a good fish lost. He took in 

 the situation at a glance. " You just wait a moment^ 

 sir," he said, " and 77/ get 'im out." 



