88 In Pursuit of the Trout 



twenty-four hours at the pool, left several 

 gut-casts in the willows, used up some dozens 

 of perfectly dressed olive and other flies, and 

 broken two top joints. When Splitcane got 

 hung up in the willow-herbs he would crawl 

 through the wet grass like a reptile, and with- 

 draw his hook with infinite care in order to 

 avoid scaring the fish. As regards this single 

 rise — it was one of Splitcane's friends who 

 saw the dark deed done. A Sheffielder swing- 

 ing carelessly along happened to see the fish 

 rise, and cast his line, with two huge flies 

 attached thereto, down stream. The fish 

 rose, and was killed. Splitcane's friend begged 

 the Sheflielder as a great favour to exchange 

 the trout for one of about one and a-half 

 pounds which he had in his own creel. The 

 man good-naturedly agreed. 



That evening, upon Splitcane's return to 

 the inn, all his friends met him at the door. 

 You should have seen his face when he heard 

 that the trout had been taken — envy, malice, 

 and all uncharitableness were depicted there- 

 on. But you should have seen his face when 



