124 BRITISH SPORTING FISHES. 



fresh fish so fresh, indeed, that the life has not 

 yet gone out of it. 



It is a perfectly easy matter to poach fish, but 

 the difficulty lies in conveying them into the 

 towns and villages. The poacher never knows 

 but that he may meet some county constable 

 along the unfrequented country roads, and con- 

 sequently never carries his game with him. This 

 he secretes in stacks, and ricks, and disused farm 

 buildings, until such times as they may be safely 

 sent for. Country carriers, early morning milk- 

 carts, and women are all employed in getting the 

 fish into town. In this the women are most suc- 

 cessful. Sometimes they may be seen labouring 

 under a heavy load carried in a sack, with faggots 

 and rotten sticks protruding from the mouth ; or, 

 again, with a large basket innocently covered 

 with crisp green cresses, which effectually hide 

 the bright, silvery fish beneath. 



The methods of the fish-poacher are many. 

 The chances of success, too, are greatly in his 

 favour, for he works silently and always in the 

 night. He walks abroad much during the day, 

 and makes mental notes of men and fish. He 

 knows the beats of the watchers, and has the 

 waterside, as it were, by heart. He can work in 

 the dark as well as in the light, and this is 

 essential to his silent trade. 



