298 WHAT I HAVE SEEN WHILE FISHING 



them in a certain hole at Cobham until I did get 

 them. Three long days I assiduously courted them, 

 and never a bite rewarded my early, late and 

 constant attentions. The fourth day was preceded 

 by a severe thunderstorm, and on reaching the 

 river and seeing it discoloured, I considered myself 

 released from my rash determination. 



Just to prove how useless it would be to fish, 

 I put my tackle together for a swim. A couple 

 of strong-smelling brandlings were soon upon the 

 hook, and, as I lowered the rod into its rest, the 

 float cocked, and, strange to say, it immediately 

 came up upon its side, and then slid up-stream 

 and down out of sight. 



That was the commencement of the best day 

 I ever had with the bream. 



I have wandered by innumerable river banks 

 and have frequently been fishless, but never once 

 have I failed to see something to admire. 



When I look back on all my wanderings it's 

 the happy times I have spent punting or bank- 

 fishing on the Thames that call the loudest. 



For full forty years my home has been near 

 its banks, and during all that time it has been 

 as a close and faithful friend. In joyous times, 

 with footsteps light, I have fished its pools and 

 sung or, in some other way, given voice to the 

 joys that filled me ; while in my hours of sadness 

 it has been a comforter, bringing, for a time, forget- 

 fulness of toil and trouble, and making the burdens 



