154 AN ANGLER'S HOURS ix 



these facts that we have followed the ditch, 

 or wholly that we might enjoy the shade. 

 The May-fly is here too, and, I doubt not, a 

 good trout or so with him. Yes, there, 

 under the third willow from where we are 

 standing, is a rise. A feeding fish, sure 

 enough ; there were but three May-flies 

 near him, and he has taken them all. Now 

 we will endeavour to take him. We can 

 safely advance fairly close, as he lies under 

 our own bank, and kneeling in the shade of 

 the tree above him we peep cautiously round 

 the willow trunk. Another determined rise 

 shows us exactly where he is, not six yards 

 away. With an underhand cast the fly is 

 made to drop onto the water a little above 

 him, and he comes at it nobly. In a second 

 he is dashing away down-stream and the 

 angler is holding on like grim death. We 

 cannot follow because of the trees, and we 

 must test the efficacy of trustworthy tackle 

 and passive resistance. Twenty yards below 

 is one of the plank bridges, and if he gets 

 to that he is a free trout, for there are piles 

 under it. But no, he is turned just in time, 

 and now we can compel him slowly to come 

 back. The greatest danger is over, and, 



