SOME BRITISH FRESH-WATER FISHES 197 



disturbed with a long and heavy rake. This 

 causes clouds of mud to float down the river ; 

 the inquisitive but unwary gudgeon comes up to 

 see what is the matter, and takes the bait, a small 

 red worm. 



In gudgeon-fishing there are few pauses. They 

 bite merrily, but the instant the float disappears 

 the angler must strike smartly, and also whenever 

 the float arrives at the end of the swim, for there 

 may be a vacillating fish that cannot make up its 

 mind to take the bait until it is about to disappear, 

 when it makes a dash for it. We caught dozens 

 in the gloaming, and, after bestowing our fees, 

 and also our barbel, on the fisherman, we returned 

 to London, and for supper had a splendid friture 

 of fresh gudgeon, though it was perhaps not quite 

 up to the standard of the French chefs, who 

 excel in cooking this toothsome little fish. 



During our tremendous struggle with the French 

 in the early years of last century, certain pre- 

 cautionary steps were taken by the military 

 authorities, in anticipation of a descent upon the 

 south coast by our gallant foes. A chain of 

 Martello towers was one feature ; a fresh-water 

 canal was another. The latter began at the 

 western boundary of Sandgate, terminating in 

 the neighbourhood of Warehorne and Appledore, 



