292 WHAT I HAVE SEEN WHILE FISHING 



I must not stop to tell of the takes of those days 

 when twenty or thirty pound per rod was usual, 

 or of the twelve to twenty jack per day which was 

 frequently the result of friend A.'s clever spinning ; 

 neither must I stop to speak of pleasant outings, 

 and sundry picnics, when female society gave a 

 charm to the ruins of Hythe End Mill. 



I will only tell of the funny incident which 

 happened to one of the five, whose wife let me 

 tell you in passing was a favourite at the Mill 

 Cottage where our tea was made ; indeed, a 

 favourite with all who knew her, and the idol of 

 her husband. If Mrs. B. had a fault she has none 

 now it was an overwhelming love for flowers, 

 and well I knew it, for go where we would, catch 

 what we might, my friend had to take home some 

 flowers, and many trains he lost while violet and 

 primrose hunting. 



In the tail of the mill (from which to the 

 Thames, some quarter of a mile, there is no im- 

 pediment to fish working up) may, at times, be 

 found an almost incredible quantity of barbel. 

 B. and I determined one day to give these fish a 

 trial, while friends D. and E. were busy amongst 

 the roach at the " Tree " and " Bridge " swims, 

 and A., at his old game, spinning for jack. 



It was about five when we struck our first fish, 

 and in three hours, when it was time to leave off, 

 twenty-eight were landed. Rods, tackle and fish 

 were quickly packed and shouldered and we were 



