120 A DAY UP THE RIVER. 



reached the two ends of the net. Two large 

 heaps of similar stones, by way of ammu- 

 nition, were collected, one on each side of 

 the neck, where the fish were still lying in 

 beautiful unconsciousness, and every now 

 and then testifying at once their presence 

 and their contempt by rising gently at some 

 stray wall-fly. 



" Now, boys, out of the water with you !" 

 said the Captain ; " keep all quiet here, but 

 get your stones ready, and heave when I tell 

 you." 



And while he and the Scholar took their 

 places at each end of the net, on their hands 

 and knees in the water, crouching behind 

 the wall they had been building, their fol- 

 lowers, to the number of some twenty or 

 thirty (for many idlers had dropped in from 

 the fair), crept quietly up on each side of the 

 neck. 



"Ready, boys?" said the Captain. 



" All ready ! " was the answer. 



" Then heave together!" 



And an avalanche of stones came thun- 

 dering into the neck of the eel-w r eir. 



Two shadows glanced like lightning across 

 the sunny slab ; and as the Captain and the 



