108 AN ANGLER AT LARGE 



V-shaped net, owing to the large space of sand 

 which it straddles when inverted, gives the quarry 

 little or no chance. We agreed that any fish 

 which should evade the net once should be let 

 alone, for after he has been driven from place 

 to place for some time a flounder loses heart, and 

 allows himself to be taken with ridiculous ease. 

 Even a good sportsman will respect a gallant 

 and skilful antagonist, and rejoice in his escape : 

 but as purists we were actuated by a still higher 

 principle. With the purist it is first time or not 

 at all. The proper exercise of his skill is to him 

 of such moment that one bungle disqualifies him 

 in his own eyes from proceeding further in the 

 matter. 



I could fill many volumes with suggestions for 

 the elevation of flounder-fishing ; but a too 

 elaborate exposition would defeat my object, 

 which is not to instruct, but to set others in the 

 way to learn. The truth is only to be found by 

 patient personal search. The seeker, once his feet 

 are set in the right path, must work out his own 

 salvation. It is enough if I have shown him a 

 means of purging his soul of some dross, of 

 clearing some of the mud from his waders. I 

 have offered him one or two stepping-stones. 

 For the rest of the journey across the gulf let 

 him trust to his own higher nature not to mine. 



