THE ANGLER'S SOUVENIR. 



301 



impossible ! Yet there is the head and there is the 

 tail. Who shall say what visions cross his brain 

 at that exulting moment ! But a shaft of sunlight 

 strikes the water, and renders it more transparent, 

 and lo ! the mystery is solved. There are two pike 

 of equal size. One is hooked, and the other is 

 following close in his wake as he swims about the 

 pool, whether from wonder, affection, concern, or 

 the possible chance of a meal off a sick fish, one 

 cannot say. Presently, however, he catches sight 

 of John's extended net, and is off like a shot, while 

 the hooked fish is landed, and promises to turn the 

 acale at seven pounds. 



And now they come to a little pool apart from 

 the river, but communicating with it by a narrow 

 channel. The pool is completely surrounded by a 

 tall and thick rampart of reeds, over which it is 

 certainly possible to cast, but which would effectu- 

 ally prevent the return of any spinning flight. It 

 looks such a pikey place, however, that the master 

 is determined to try it ; so he puts on a gorge - 

 bait, which can be forcibly dragged back through 

 the reeds without much difficulty. 



At the third throw the bait is seized with such a 

 rush that the rod is nearly jerked out of the troller's 

 hand. 



" That is a big fish, John.' 



" It is, sir ; but I think you will not get it out." 



After a considerable time, and much careful play, 

 the pike is tired out, and lies on its side at the 



