58 A DAY AT LOUGH MELVIN. 



cross-lines are unbent; we have full liberty 

 to d — n each other to our heart's content, 

 and to give each other the lie to any 

 amount, as long as the lines are joined : but 

 it is to be all forgotten the moment they are 

 separated." 



" Yes," said the Parson, " that rule is 

 indispensable for Hampshire, where they 

 fish with one fly only on their cross-lines, so 

 that every fish hooked is the joint property 

 of both parties ; and it is not a bad one 

 here, where we fish with twenty : but I 

 would recommend another precaution. Tie 

 this swan's feather by a bit of barbers' silk 

 to the centre of the back-line, and let each 

 count as his own, and manage in his own 

 way, the rises that take place on his own side 

 of it." 



" Well, that is not a bad hint," said the 

 Squire ; " and we will have it on : how- 

 ever, I spoke only in jest : the Scholar and I 

 have been friends too long to quarrel about 

 losing a fish or two." 



The Parson smiled and said nothing, but 

 quietly took his place in the bow of the in- 

 shore boat, with a light twelve- foot trout- 

 rod in his hand : his business was to whip 



