220 WHAT I HAVE SEEN WHILE FISHING 



be home. I felt sure, before I saw it, that I had 

 a much heavier fish than either of those already 

 caught, and I determined to do my very best, no 

 matter what time he took, nor how much he might 

 disturb the pool. For a full half-hour he fought, 

 At one moment he was in the broken water at the 

 tail of the pool, and at the next the line was cutting 

 its way towards the centre, after which he would be 

 deep down under my feet again. He appeared to 

 to be master of every dodge likely to regain for him 

 his freedom, and if ever a fish deserved it he did. 

 What is more, he got it. He was on his side with 

 open mouth coming gently to be gaffed, when the 

 hold, worn out, gave way. 



Mr. James Arnott, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, was 

 the only other fortunate fisherman. He had one of 

 i81b., which was duly despatched to his family. I 

 mention this latter fact as Mr. Arnott, on his first 

 visit here, had but just commenced to fish when he 

 got one of 20 lb., and, thinking fish plentiful, hand- 

 somely sent it to the hotel to be cooked for the 

 guests' dinner. It was good eating, and we drank 

 Arnott's health and wished him many and many 

 another good fish before his week's stay should be 

 over. I am sorry to have to add that these good 

 wishes were of little avail he returned home 

 without a fish. 



Should you ever have the pleasure of meeting 

 Mr. James Arnott remind him of this, and then 

 listen to his hearty laugh. 



