1 62 Sporting Sketches 



that a big, shadowy thing for an instant was visible. 

 At all events, the man meant what he said. It was 

 a quiet joke on me, too, for I had been feeling fit for 

 a swim, which, needless to say, I did not attempt. 



All through the dreamy afternoon the heat held 

 its own, and no breath of wind came. We fished 

 until we wearied of apparently inexhaustible sport. 

 We got as tanned as redskins, and at last some one 

 looked westward and saw a tremendous crimson 

 sphere sinking toward the water-line. 



Simple as this form of sport may appear to those 

 who know the best there is of river, lake, and brook 

 fishing, the day had supplied a most enjoyable 

 experience. The substitution of stiff rods might 

 introduce more pleasing features, yet a congenial 

 party, with a host like Hill, may find there is fun, 

 even in the use of handlines. Not one moment of 

 the time dragged, and, after all, it does men good 

 now and then to forget their cares and just be boys 

 together. 



