OCTOBER 245 



turning to his packet of sandwiches ; 

 "but we're fishing for salmon." 



It was nearly three o'clock when John 

 and I were back to the place where we 

 had begun in the morning. Luncheon, 

 rest, and the lapse of time have a wonderful 

 effect on the angler's spirit. If he has 

 had good sport in the morning, he expects 

 to have better in the afternoon ; if he has 

 had none, he is confident that at least a 

 little is to come. He sets to work, in 

 either case, with reason in his mood. The 

 fish have been "on the take"? Why, 

 then, it is probable that they are on still. 

 They have been off? Well, as they 

 usually rise for a while at some stage of 

 the day, it may be that we are just in 

 the nick of time. 



John and I were thoroughly optimistic 

 at the fresh start and for half-an-hour 

 after. Then our conversation began to 

 languish. John remained civil and at- 

 tentive ; but I have no doubt he was con- 



