FLY-FISHING FOR BASS, ETC. 133 



water. Very soon I had the boat geared ; and 

 whilst one of the men carried her to the water, I 

 took my " morning draught," as quaint old Walton 

 would term it. That duly accomplished, and with 

 rod lightly arranged, I stepped into the fragile 

 bark, and was pushed off into the stream. 



In this instance I was below the dam, and 

 intended approaching as near as might be advisa- 

 ble, and anchoring, altering positions to suit cir- 

 cumstances. A select crowd had gathered on the 

 shore, and were taking in the situation with enjoy- 

 ment ; and I soon increased their admiration by 

 boating a nice little twelve-ounce fish. Now, this 

 dam was built for supplying a knitting and flour 

 mill near by, and is not at all a formidable one, its 

 fall not being more than ten feet ; but at the time 

 of which I am writing, a very respectable volume 

 of water was coming over, and there was, at one 

 part near the side, a swift and powerful undertow, 

 a fact of which I was yet unaware. Presently, 

 however, a good fish rose to my Royal Coachman ; 

 and as I struck him, and saw him plunge, I knew 

 it was a two-pounder at least. How he did fight ! 

 And finally, finding I should have trouble in boat- 

 ing him, the boat being so light, and I being so 



