274 AN ANGLER'S SEASON 



shot Peter's left ; but, without otherwise 

 moving a hairbreadth, Bismarck jerked his 

 head, and nothing happened. The rest 

 of the round was experimental sparring. 

 Each man was trying to discover the 

 particular artistry in which his peril lay. 



"Slow work," said Peter. "Fill the 

 glasses, John. You'll find bottles in the 

 cupboard." 



The second round was almost as little 

 effectual. Neither man could get at the 

 other's face, and the blows elsewhere, 

 hard though some of them were, seemed 

 to be against tissue scarcely less resilient 

 than india-rubber. 



John had become excited. Having 

 filled the glasses, he had returned to the 

 door of the cupboard, and was standing 

 there, near his master, uttering snatches 

 of encouragement and of suggestion. 

 This seemed unfair. What was I to do ? I 

 could not well stand up and take the part 

 of my host's antagonist ; but something 

 had to be done. I requested John to 

 take his seat and be quiet. John would 



