18 DAYS STOLEN FOR SPORT 



made her first cast with the fly she had practised 

 on land without a hook and then there happened 

 what is unlikely to occur, but is much talked of 

 when it does success at the first cast. A puff of 

 wind took the fly to the limit of the short line, and 

 then it dropped, in the centre of a ring just broaden- 

 ing out, and a trout, which showed its yellow side, 

 went down with it and hooked himself securely. 

 When her prize was in the net the fisher remarked : 

 " Why, fly-fishing is very simple. Let me try all 

 by myself. You sit down and rest a bit." 



I left her to herself and the fly went out very 

 nicely for a cast or two ; then there was a movement 

 of the bracken at the rear which caused me to look 

 anxiously for the little ring the fly would make if it 

 reached the water ; and thus I learnt that it was 

 gone. I thought it best to keep this secret for a 

 while as the enjoyment of her expectations was just 

 as great as if she had a dozen flies on, and it was 

 such good practice too. 



A well-directed cast towards a ring near the 

 other side caused me to say : " Splendid ! Draw off 

 another yard." Thus encouraged she worked until 

 the active arm so ached that a rest was needed and 

 I was called to take my turn. She looked at me for 

 approval, saw a glint of something in my eyes 

 which caused her a moment's thought, and then 

 remarked : " You want to laugh, but not to tell me 

 why. Now, Phil, be fair, what is it ? " I had to 

 tell her and then we laughed together, had lunch 

 and commenced to fish again. It was thus we 

 fished and laughed the day away, all too quickly, 

 although we were out so late as to be greeted on our 

 return with : " We thought you be lost, me dears.' 7 



