FISHES OF MY CHILDHOOD 29 



line, and escaped. It looked quite two feet 

 long, and was at first described as weighing eight 

 pounds, which estimate as time went on was 

 gradually increased to fifteen ! 



The trout I had tried for were at the mouth of a 

 stream that fed the lake, and they freely took to a 

 worm diet ; but I got rather tired of pulling up 

 tiny ones, and after a time wandered away and 

 discovered in a hollow, surrounded by bushes, a 

 small, but deep, fishful-looking pool, into which 

 I soon had my line, and the bait was instantly 

 taken by one of the biggest trout I had ever 

 seen. I hauled him ashore by sheer force, and 

 full of ardour, I re-baited the hook, and caught 

 another huge one. Then my luck ceased ; I had 

 evidently cleared the pool of fish. 



Bursting with impatience, I returned with my 

 catch to Dr. Primrose, and received his con- 

 gratulations, noting the ill-concealed envy of my 

 boy-companion. We carefully packed the fish, and 

 on getting back presented them to the Doctor's 

 wife. 



The following Saturday Dr. Primrose again 

 went to the same park, but alone. On his 

 return he sent for me. "Well," he said, in 

 unclassical English, "you have gone and done 

 it!" 



