256 AN ANGLER AT LARGE 



those fish within twenty-four hours. Even the 

 Adelphi were infected by his enthusiasm, and 

 vowed, by such things as Oberhausen had left 

 uninvoked, to attend the morrow's execution. 

 These Adelphi shared our house, fed with us, 

 played bridge with us, but were not of us. They 

 were in no sense sportsmen. Indeed, their attitude 

 towards all sport was that of Mr. Vandeleur 

 towards Mr. Scrymgeour. They " regarded it 

 with an indifference closely bordering on aversion," 

 and they sought, at meals, to draw us from our 

 talk of fish and tackle into discussion of the great 

 models of English letters. Yet, if the divine 

 spark was kindled for once in their bosoms, who 

 shall say that they came to Norway in vain ? 



The flood-tide turned. For an hour the sea- 

 stream flowed out calm and deep. Then on the 

 far side a few dimples showed on the surface. 

 This roughness extended, as the depth grew less. 

 Another break came in the near side, lengthened 

 in its turn till it met the first in midstream, and 

 the V began to form. At this moment Ober- 

 hausen appeared on the bank, followed at a respect- 

 ful distance by MacAlister and by me. Then 

 came the Adelphi each with a Great Model under 

 his arm. The spectators took up their positions 

 upon neighbouring rocks, and Oberhausen set to 

 work ! I fear that our presence may have daunted 



