266 DAYS IN THE OPEN 



that seemed to be working alone and unaided, and 

 the mystery was solved only when it was discov- 

 ered that a cat had climbed upon the porch roof, 

 swallowed the minnow that the Deacon had failed 

 to remove from the hook, and was now making 

 frantic efforts to escape. When the Deacon was 

 informed of what was certainly nothing short of a 

 cat-astrophe, he hastened to the rescue. Then and 

 there was furnished such an exhibition of artistic 

 and skilful handling of a rod as few have been 

 permitted to witness. If a ten-pound trout instead 

 of a cat had been at the end of the line, the Deacon 

 could not have done better. Did the cat run up 

 the side of the building, the Deacon paid out line. 

 Did it run down again, he reeled in. His poise 

 and calm were admirable. Once, indeed, when the 

 youngster giggled, the Deacon's voice was heard 

 remarking that he did not see anything to laugh 

 at. This furnished an atom too much for 

 the Preacher's self-control, and he hurried into a 

 boat and rowed hastily out to the middle of the 

 lake where he could give vent to the emotions 

 which rent and tore him. An hour later, when 

 the Preacher returned, all was peaceful. Despite 

 the Deacon's skill possibly because of it the 

 cat had gotten off. 



Did you ever see a muskallonge walk over the 

 water on its tail ? It is not claimed that this is its 

 favourite method of taking a stroll, but only that 



