DULL AND UNEVENTFUL. 119 



" Well, it was last year, when, being rowed across 

 a loch, I hooked a trout of half a pound or so, and 

 when winding him in I felt my line stopped as if it 

 had caught a stone, and on looking to see what was up 

 I saw a huge pike had my trout by the middle, just 

 as a terrier would grip a rat, and I nearly had the 

 landing-net over the bold fish ; but on being touched 

 he let go and darted off." 



" Why did you not gaff him ? " 



u I had no cleek. I was only trout-fishing." 



" Could we not have a regular day for yellow trout, 

 some time ? " 



"Yes, Fred, we shall. There is a small loch near 

 the north march with fine trout, the keeper says ; but 

 they are very shy. We must see, however, what 

 careful fishing can do. Now for work ; what are you 

 to be about ? " 



" Tasks for Hope, and two letters." 



The day passed quickly with various occupations, 

 and a visit to the kennels. 



We did not care to have too many dogs, and 

 considered our lot might do, viz., two couple of pointers 

 and a brace of setters all good and besides we had 

 the amiable Grace and her puppy in training, and 

 five or six varmint-terriers. 



