28 A MEDLEY OF SPORT 



enable me to note the expression of their comely faces, 

 I felt convinced that one and all were convulsed with 

 laughter at my expense. 



It was useless, however, to cry over spilt milk, and 

 muttering blessings towards marshmen generally, and the 

 Thomases in particular, I slid down the sea-wall and re- 

 turned to my room to breakfast. 



The meal finished, I took my improvised rod and 

 tackle, together with a 12-bore gun and cartridges, in 

 case fishing should prove slack, and half emptying the 

 bait bucket of water, handed it to Billy to carry, and 

 we struck a beeline towards the big fleet which lay at the 

 far end of the island. 



Upon arriving at the fleet, I found that in several parts 

 the water was covered with a thin sheet of cat-ice ; there 

 were plenty of open holes, however, and having noticed 

 a likely -looking spot about a quarter of a mile from the 

 head of the fleet, I commenced to rig up my tackle as well 

 as I was able without winch, etc. 



" How deep is the fleet in the middle, William ? " I 

 inquired of the young marshman who stood grinning by 

 my side, as I operated on a particularly Hvely and sHmy 

 carp. 



" There baint no bottom to it, so faither do say." 



" Nonsense, my lad, how on earth could these reeds 

 grow if there was no bottom to the fleet ? " 



" I tell 'ee faither do say there baint none, and he 

 ought to know I reckon." 



What an oracle is a father in the eyes of his children. 



