AN ANGLER AT THE ANTIPODES. 109 



English folks have no notion how water can rise. I 

 have seen the Clarence here more than 30 feet above 

 its present level ; and at Tabulam, 50 miles nearer 

 its source, it rose, during the great rains two years 

 ago, 67 feet perpendicular. 



New Chum. Spare my nerves, I entreat you, and 

 tell me rather why we don't turn down to the river 

 at once. That pool below looks very inviting. 



Veteran. Too shallow, I assure you. Besides, I 

 trust wholly to our black, and he, you perceive, is 

 leading straight on to meet the river beyond the next 

 swell of the ground. He won't walk a yard further 

 than our sport requires. I say, Billy, where are we 

 to stop? 



Billy. Not long bit now ; see rock yonder ? good 

 place that one plenty cod sit down there we won- 

 garee [stay]. 



New Chum. Well, here we are at last, I suppose. 

 But if that stony island is the rock your sable friend 

 means, I shan't get there without coming to grief. 

 How is a Christian in neat's leather to walk over this 

 wide strip of smooth stones ? 



Veteran. Never fear ; our rocks are rarely slip- 

 pery, even when wet. Only beware if you step on 

 one under water ; this dry weather has crusted them 

 with green slime. Hilloa ! are you down ? 



New Chum. No not this time but I should 

 have taken a bath but for " Billy" here. Your hint 



