52 BY MEADOW AND STREAM. 



away over a big bed of reeds that were lying flat nearly 

 on the top of the stream. * * You'll never get him 

 across them weeds, " said Davis. I tried my best ; 

 with a fair wind, my fly landed just above him, and 

 sailed cockily down over his lair. He came, he saw, 

 he was conquered ! What a tug I had with him to 

 keep him from getting under the weeds instead of 

 over them ; at last, over he came, like a lamb, till he 

 caught sight of Davis and that awful net ; then he 

 made a final struggle, but he was too exhausted to 

 fight well, we got him to the side, and, bravo ! to 

 land ; he tried the same dodge as the other, but I 

 had been taught a lesson, and slackened up in time. 

 He scaled 2 Ib. 2 oz. He was our biggest fish this 

 outing. So I triumphantly packed him up and sent 

 him off to the Major the same evening, to make his 

 mouth water. 1 



Friday, 22nd (my last day). I will say nothing of 

 the smaller fry I caught. I came to a pool which I 

 call "the Doctor's" where his wily " patients " live. 

 Several of them were paddling about on the top of 

 the water, with their maws full no doubt, and not 

 caring a rap for any flies that float, but I observed 

 one fellow close to the bank too close for my hopes 

 that seemed to be more in earnest ; he was greedily 

 taking every insect that came sailing by, so I thought 

 I would give him a taste of mine. He evidently liked 

 the look of the "artful" one, but only nosed it on 

 the first throw. I threw again, and he could not 

 resist the temptation. I carried him home this 



1 He was such a handsome fish I have sent him to be set up. 

 THE MAJOR. 



