A TRAGEDY OF THE MERE. 73 



Directly facing me on the opposite side a 

 river joined forces with the canal, the place 

 of meeting being a haunt of sundry water- 

 fowl. I glanced across and saw a shoal of 

 small fish leap suddenly from the water, their 

 bodies falling back with a pattering as of rain- 

 drops. The next instant a dabchick rose to 

 the surface with a little captive crosswise in 

 her bill. I meekly acknowledged her 

 superiority, and, leaving her to enjoy the spoils 

 of victory, with a light bag and a light heart 

 trudged homeward along the towing path' 

 beside the sunset -crimsoned water. 



- for the actual taking of fish is 

 " but a question of degree in the sum of his 

 " day ' s pleasure." 



