SOME TINY WATERS 25 



At my second visit I was more suitably armed so 

 far as the rod went, a little gem of seven feet which 

 was really the result of that earlier experience. 

 Though I had not had to fish such a stream since, 

 I had determined not to be found unprepared in the 

 event of such an opportunity coming my way. 

 And meanwhile, on more open though equally small 

 waters, I had tested the tiny rod's qualities and found 

 them most satisfactory. So, if the rod could do it, 

 the stream was going to learn who was master. 

 There was about three-quarters of a mile of water 

 at my disposal (so curly that a straight line from 

 top to bottom would be but 600 yards or so) and 

 I determined to get in at the bottom and fish up- 

 stream wet or dry as circumstances might suggest. 

 Here and there it might be too deep to wade, in 

 which case I could clamber out and start again 

 above. 



I began " as per programme," having solved the 

 problem of reaching the water at the boundary by 

 tobogganing involuntarily down the high bank and 

 entering the stream with a splash and a severe shock 

 to my system. While I was recovering from the 

 resultant palpitations I was startled by the sound 

 of some great animal rushing down upon me. " The 

 bull," I ejaculated in horror and surprise. For 

 I had, as I thought, located that animal two meadows 

 away, and had very carefully left him undisturbed. 



