258 AN ANGLER'S HOURS xiv 



and regarding the troubled waters with a 

 hopeful expression, and waiting for the 

 barbel and bream to begin to bite. For 

 barbel and bream the common earth-worm 

 in its largest size is as good a bait as you 

 shall find, and doubtless their patience would 

 have been rewarded had barbel and bream 

 existed in the pool in any quantity. But of 

 barbel and bream there is no considerable 

 store there ; indeed, only one of each kind 

 has been taken, I believe, during several years. 

 Nevertheless, the patience of the two 

 anglers was not exhausted, and one day one 

 brother was aroused by a shout from the 

 other. Raising his eyes, he plainly per- 

 ceived that his friend was fast in something 

 heavy and vigorous which was hurrying 

 round the pool. Like a true sportsman he 

 hastened across the bridge with the landing- 

 net, and after some exciting minutes had the 

 pleasure of lifting out, not barbel or bream, 

 but one of the veterans themselves. The 

 fish was a noble specimen, weighing some 

 ounces more than that five pounds which 

 every honest angler hopes some day to 

 achieve, and you may imagine the joy of 

 the successful brother, who shook hands 



