JUNE 143 



while the reels spun out the line as the distance 

 between the conspirators widened. Then, being on 

 opposite sides of the tarn, distant from each other may 

 be a hundred yards or thereby, we began to draw the 

 flies slowly along the surface of the water. 



Bang ! he has it : a good thumper too, and we begin 

 to play him in concert. 



Alas ! for the best-laid plans. The trout had not 

 made more than a couple of somersaults when one of 

 the casting lines parted, and he was free. I, to keep 

 the unmanageable length of line from the bottom, 

 began running backwards over the moor, and presently 

 plunged headlong into a wet moss hole. However, to 

 cut this long yarn short, and make a clean breast of it, 

 damages were soon repaired, the same tactics were 

 renewed, and by this nefarious device some very good 

 trout were landed. They were as dark as tench, but 

 beautifully shaped, and proved on the table as sweet 

 as if their skins had shown the lustre of gold and 

 rubies. 



