1 6 AN ANGLER'S HOURS i 



nothing for more than an hour, except it 

 be one or two small roach, which are re- 

 turned to the stream that they may attain 

 greater weight and wisdom. Nevertheless 

 he fishes on in patience, for the shoal of 

 bream may come again, and it were pity 

 to go home with but two fish to show for 

 all his pains. 



In the meantime there has been plenty 

 to interest us. Far away down the river 

 we saw a mighty bird that rose with much 

 flapping of wings, and sailed away with its 

 legs stretched out like a pennant behind it. 

 That was a heron, who was breakfasting on 

 the shallows below. Perchance some labourer 

 going forth to his work disturbed him ; per- 

 chance it was another angler, though anglers 

 at this early hour are not common. 



A little while ago there was a great 

 commotion on the other side of the river. 

 We saw many tiny fish leap out of the 

 water in all directions, and in the midst of 

 them was a turbulent wave caused by 

 Master Perch, who was also breakfasting. 

 Once, indeed, he came right across the 

 river after some hapless bleak, and we saw 

 him quite plainly. He even inspected our 



