IN DIVERS WEATHERS. 31 



my lot to fish in many weathers, but six hours 

 in a searching snowstorm is an experience. 



The rain it raineth every day. It fell 

 persistently, remorselessly, uncompromisingly, 

 when four days later, in company with another 

 friend, I pursued the twenty-pounder from a 

 punt on a certain water, : wherein, unless report 

 speaks falsely, there are some whoppers. Two 

 pike, totalling 6 lb., had already fallen to my 

 rod, when a six -and -a -half -pounder monopo- 

 lised my companion's attention. I thought it 

 had come, for so powerful were the struggles 

 that even the stout rod had to bow before them, 

 and, alternately plunging and swirling mightily, 

 the fish for some minutes defied all attempts 

 to bring him in. After such a fight the 

 ultimate verdict was somewhat of a dis- 

 appointment. With raindrops occasionally 

 trickling down the back of my neck, I lifted 

 in another, though a smaller, pike for him, 

 afterwards performing a similar office for 

 myself. Close to a bed of rushes my float 

 gave a spasmodic jerk and shot beneath the 



