47 



CHAPTER XL. 



CURIOUS CAPTURES. 



WHEN fishing in Hampshire some ten or twelve 

 years ago, a moorhen came out of some bushes near 

 me and rushed down the brook, with its feet just 

 trailing along on the surface. As it was going over 

 my line I gave a twitch and hooked it in the under 

 part of the foot, where the skin is as tough as leather. 

 Then I had a lively time for about twenty minutes, 

 up and down, in and out ; but my tackle was good, 

 and I handled the rod carefully, till at length the 

 bird was pretty well tired, and got in among some 

 bushes, and a friend who was with me went into 

 the water and got it into the landing-net. I 

 preserved it and had it mounted. 



On another occasion I saw a rat swimming across 

 the stream, and pitched my fly just beyond him 

 and hooked him firmly. Of course he dived, 

 but could not get away from me, and at last came 

 ashore into the long grass where I was standing. 

 It was nearly dark and I could not see him, but 

 presently found he had got the line entangled round 

 my legs. I threw the rod down, and stamped about, 

 thinking to tread on him, but suppose I trod on the 

 gut, for he got away with it. When I picked up my 

 rod I found I had stamped on it also and broken it ; 

 therefore I determined to let the next rat alone. 



