44 AN ANGLER'S LINES. 



instances there was a response, but the gray- 

 ling came short, and then incontinently retired. 

 A short reach between two deep pools, however, 

 held out hopes of better things, for a regular 

 glutton was discovered there, taking every 

 insect that came along. In quick succession 

 ring after ring appeared on the surface, and, 

 each time, a dark fin showed for an instant 

 in the centre. Dropping on one knee, my host 

 was soon hard at work, but the gourmand 

 exhibited an all too epicurean taste. Again 

 and again we watched the fly pass over him 

 untouched, then, the next minute, up he 

 would come, and suck in a living insect. Once, 

 the artificial floated down side by side with the 

 natural ; there was a momentary disturbance, 

 and the " barbed betrayer " travelled on 

 alone. Black gnat, red tag, and green insect; 

 all were tried in turn, and in turn rejected. A 

 dark olive quill, however, brought the grayling 

 to the surface in a twinkling, but a too -eager 

 strike caused him to make a hasty descent* 

 Probably meditating upon the unorthodox be- 



