DUTIES OF A WATER-KEEPER 279 



to get a night's rest, for it is at this period that 

 the greatest vigilance is necessary. At such times 

 it is absolutely essential that he should have 

 efficient and sufficient help afforded him ; for it is 

 killing work, even on a small fishery, for a single- 

 handed keeper. It is impossible for him to be 

 everywhere during the twenty-four hours, and 

 owners of fishings should never grudge giving all 

 necessary assistance to a good and hard-working 

 servant. If he is not both of these, he is useless, 

 and probably dishonest to boot, and the sooner 

 he departs the better for his master ; for I main- 

 tain that no servant at all is better than a bad one. 

 If a man is dishonest enough to rob his master of 

 his wages, he -will hardly scruple to be dishonest in 

 other ways. This night-watching is cold, trying 

 work, and not altogether unmixed with danger, 

 especially where only one keeper is employed. 

 Nor do I think it is fair to expect a man to cope 

 single-handed with a gang of poachers, probably 

 three or four in number. 



Very much may be done towards improving a 

 river by means of artificial falls, dams, fish-shelters, 

 etc. Fish do not like to lie in places where they 

 are perpetually exposed to the rays of the sun, 

 and therefore, where necessary shade is deficient, 

 and the banks of the river admit of it, a few trees 

 planted here and there will be found beneficial. 

 Willow or any such description of quick-growing 



