26 AN ANGLER'S HOURS n 



May-fly and returned that he might be retaken 

 as a three-pounder. But, alas ! hardly had 

 I decided on the inscription that should 

 adorn his glass case when he stopped and 

 shook himself, and the fly came away. 



For a minute or two the cradle contain- 

 ing the unconquerable hope was in hazard 

 of being kicked across the meadow, but 

 calmer counsels prevailed, and I comforted 

 myself with the thought that though I had 

 lost a fish I had found the fly. The Wick- 

 ham was to retrieve my fortunes, and to 

 make up the fifteen brace which were now 

 in arrears, for the grayling rise was over for 

 the day. The Wickham would, however, 

 have to work hard, I reflected, as I returned 

 to my abode. 



On the fourth day this inestimable fly did 

 its best, and I actually caught a grayling of 

 about a pound, and lost two others' a result 

 not particularly gratifying, but lucky for 

 the unconquerable hope, which was in 

 some danger of being left in its cradle per- 

 manently. 



It was on the fifth day that I saw a gray- 

 ling a yard long that, at least, is the length 

 suggested by the unconquerable hope which 



