acquired "snakes." This is but one of the experiences 

 a fisherman in the mountains is liable to meet with, 

 and my son and our company all begged to be excused 

 from such an introduction. 



I said to my son that there were many unpleasant 

 experiences to be encountered in every walk of life, 

 and that they often arise as if to test the thought- 

 fulness, ingenuity and courage of a man. Not that 

 encounters or meetings with snakes are frequent, but 

 with other subjects, some of them far more disagree- 

 able. "Yes," said he, "snakes in the boots." "Well 

 yes, "I responded, "such are known, and they con- 

 stitute a most dangerous class, the most undesirable. 

 It is not uncommon, however, for the fisherman while 

 wading streams or prowling around rocky or rugged 

 shores to meet with reptiles. On one or two occasions 

 it befell my lot to kill moccasins and in the foot hills 

 of the Blue Ridge where some of the finest fishing 

 places are located, and the copperhead and other 

 venomous snakes are occasionally encountered. In 

 such a meeting the sportsman wearing low shoes is 

 somewhat exposed. 



THE LOST WATCH. 



"Difficult River" within those fields where was 

 fought the war of the Rebellion is a deep, winding 

 stream which flows into the Potomac River. Here 

 my boy was proud to fish, because it brought to him 

 thoughts of the Battle of Bull Run and the defense 

 of Washington. Many times he would put questions 

 to me regarding the scenes enacted in that vicinity in 

 war times. Most of the boys have an interest in such 

 matters and fishing was almost a secondary con- 

 sideration when we would make a trip to "Difficult." 



