72 DAYS STOLEN FOR SPORT 



danger of his coming to the bank amongst the 

 overhanging docks and grasses. The angler's 

 efforts told and the line only shaved the tips of 

 the obstructions as the fish made the turn and, in 

 doing so, gave me my chance. I got the bulk 

 within the ring, and, as I lifted higher, the nose 

 and tail slid after the bending body to the bottom 

 of the net. 



The salmon has been given without cavil the 

 title "King of Fishes" and I think the Thames 

 trout should be crowned their Queen. Was there 

 ever a queen more coy and shy than they are or 

 one that fought more gallantly for liberty than 

 this one had ? No queen was ever more perfect 

 in form or bedecked in more lovely garb at least 

 so I thought than the one that lay upon the grass 

 while three excited folk did what might well have 

 passed for a war dance round the victor of the 

 fight. 



Flushed and almost breathless with excitement 

 the happy fisher round whom we capered asked 

 how much the fish would weigh and, when our host 

 prophesied that it would turn the scale at nine 

 pounds, her pride burst out : 



" Why, Phil, that beats your biggest, doesn't 

 it?" 



" Even were that not so, dear, my duty would 

 cloud my memory at such a moment." 



" Shall I box his ears or kiss him ? " she inquired 

 of our hostess, who answered : 



" Kiss him, Nell, for his honesty." 



This reward might have been mine had not the 

 giant interfered with : 



" Box his ears, Mrs Geen, and give me the kiss." 



