XXVII 



OF A FALSE BALANCE 



AND while I am concerned with Chavender 

 -X-lu and Wickham, let me tell you a thing. On 

 their last night I brought in a trout. I declared 

 it at one pound and three-quarters ; this on the 

 authority of my weighing machine. Chavender 

 said, "Nonsense." I swore it. I produced my 

 weighing machine. I hung the trout on it. The 

 thing dipped to one and three-quarters. " Amaz- 

 ing ! " said Chavender. I was nettled. There is 

 nothing amazing in my taking a trout of a pound 

 and three-quarters. I have had several this season 

 already. " I suppose," I sneered, " you would only 

 allow it a pound and a half." But I had done this 

 sterling fellow an injustice. He shook his head. 

 " I could have sworn," he said, " that this fish is 

 over two pounds." He weighed it in his hand. 

 Then he produced his own weighing machine and 

 hung the trout. Then he pointed to the needle, 

 which pointed to two pounds and a quarter. 

 " Your balance," said he, " weighs short by 

 half a pound. The spring is far too strong." 



185 



