82 SPRING-TIDE. 



my reach. I have tried in vain to throw 

 to him. 



S. I don't doubt it, I could not throw 

 so far myself, but a little wading will some- 

 times make up for such deficiency. The 

 water is not above mid- thigh, and though 

 I prefer generally a dry skin to a wet one, 

 I don't like to be defied in any weather 

 much less on such a mild day as this. It 

 is shallow water where that fish is rising. 

 [He wades.] There ! I have your friend. 



/. You have, and he 's a fine fish. Give 

 me the landing-net, Simon. 



S. Steady: he is somewhat headstrong, 

 and is not to be got out so readily. Wait 

 till I first land myself, for this is a fish of 

 mettle. There, now I am fairly ashore 

 again I can gently bring him to the bank : 

 out with him ! 



J. What a lovely trout ! he looks like 

 a piece of beautiful enamelled work, studded 

 with rubies, and his colours seem heightened 



