84 FISHING FOR PLEASURE 



morning, Tuesday, cold and damp. Yesterday 

 we were all bright and joyous to-day, dull and 

 gloomy; the landlord grumpy, because we want 

 him to drive us down to our water, and he wants 

 to go somewhere else; the landlady anxious and 

 worried for us to be off, so that the trap may be 

 back for the other party. " Piscator Major " was 

 silent and out of sorts, and the "A.A." was 

 attacked with a fit of the spleen. Yesterday! 

 glorious yesterday! He had been shot across the 

 country in a grand motor, with the chauffeur for 

 his gillie, who carried a chair to rest him when 

 he felt fatigued, who carried also his net and his 

 basket, who landed his trout and climbed trees 

 for his flies. To-day! We were assured, and in- 

 deed we ourselves felt sure, with that cutting 

 north-east wind there would be no rain to-day, 

 so we left our wading boots and waterproofs at 

 home. No sooner had we got to work than a 

 cold, sleety rain came down, and continued all 

 day. My one foot being crippled I could not 

 wear my india-rubber boots except as a peni- 

 tential torture. I had to hobble down for three 

 miles, partly on one leg, laden with all my im- 

 pedimenta no boy to be found for love or 

 money. The rain kept up a continuous drizzle 

 the stiles were abominable no May Fly to be 

 seen no fish rising feet and legs sopping in 

 the wet grass one brace of trout in my basket 

 tired, wearied, exhausted we reached the end 



