THE ANGLER'S SOUVENIR. 



147 



none could be caught on ordinary occasions. The 

 previous evening a younger brother named Herbert, 

 a lad of seventeen, had arranged with us that we 

 should try for them early in the morning ; and 

 hence it was that we dressed hastily and "any- 

 how" (oh, the delight of being able to dress 

 "anyhow"!), and left our room with the inten- 

 tion of waking Herbert. Our quarters were in a 

 portion of the house separated from the rest of 

 the inmates by a distinct staircase and doors ; 

 and when past these, we had no clear idea where 

 his room lay. So we went prospecting, creeping 

 stealthily with stockinged feet, lest we should 

 rouse the house, and yet it seemed to us that 

 every oaken plank we stepped upon had a loud 

 and distinctive creak. Listening at one door, we 

 heard a dual sound of breathing ; at another, there 

 was no sound at all. While standing uncertain, 

 a third door opened, and out came Master Herbert, 

 ready for the fray. Our first visit was to tho 

 larder, for it is a golden rule never to commence 

 the day upon an empty stomach. 



We were soon at the pool, on the surface of 

 which thin wisps and veils of mist still slumbered. 

 A heron stood in the marginal weeds, and was so. 

 incredulous of visitors so early, that he blinked 

 and blinked his sleepy eyes at us in wonder, and 

 only arose when we were within ten yards of him. 

 Our hooks were baited with rad-worms, and out- 

 lines were dropped quietly into the water, sup- 



