136 IN THE GREEN LEAF 



have found difficulty in getting out, as some 

 bank planking had been placed just below his 

 hover, which fenced him in. One of the 

 miller's men chanced to go to that hole for a 

 pail of water for his horses, and caught sight 

 of him. Then he was soon out of it, for some 

 very good trout, a couple of brace, for cer- 

 tain, were in the water just above him. Pure 

 water, plenty of good feed, roach, small eels, 

 dace, and minnows had all gone into his capa- 

 cious mouth, whenever they chanced to travel 

 his way ; and not having had to range for food, 

 he was a thick fish, a real beauty, spotted and 

 barred to perfection. 



Large pike are all very well as trophies of 

 the angler's skill or of his luck, as the case may 

 be ; but they are of no use for table purposes. 

 Five to eight pounds is the weight at which to 

 take them ; and, when they are in good condi- 

 tion, few would wish to eat better fish. I would 

 not take a pike from some waters I know, 

 because when ponds or lakes have been left 

 for years without being cleaned out they get 

 foul that is to say, well stocked with frogs, 

 efts, and leeches ; and when pike indulge in 

 these luxuries of diet, no one hankers after 

 eating them. 



