OF A WAR WITH BRAN-NEWCOME 165 



the top of this alien territory is a strong fence 

 some eight feet high, which projects not less than 

 three feet into the stream. Along its top an in- 

 calculable number of sharp hooks have been driven. 

 Among these hooks and around this wood, wher- 

 ever possible, barbed wire has been wound with a 

 lavish hand. No expense has been spared to make 

 this fence impregnable. A notice-board, more- 

 over, threatens with penalties those who shall 

 violate the rights of piscary of Sir Abinger Bran- 

 Newcome. But no mere process of law could 

 have any terrors for the resolute soul which could 

 even contemplate an assault upon a position of 

 such obvious strength. I have never seen a fishing 

 boundary which it was more impossible to ignore. 

 Such a fortification is an insult. The man who 

 raises it and maintains it shows that he classes his 

 neighbours with the housebreaker and the horse- 

 thief and the burner of ricks. To catch his 

 fishes if lawfully it may be done becomes a 

 meritorious act. 



When, therefore, I reached this spot on my first 

 visit for that long-ago year and saw a trout rise 

 under the far bank just opposite the fence, I did 

 not inquire too closely into his precise position in 

 relation to the boundary, but cast over him eagerly 

 and put him down without much trouble. From 

 subsequent observation, I am able to state that a 



