162 MOSTLY ABOUT TROUT 



with colour when he came out of the water, 

 opal tints on silvery pearl-grey, with dark 

 head and back, which bears a violet fin shot 

 with purple-red, as I have heard it described, 

 I forget by whom. A nice full basket ; some 

 to be distributed to old friends passed on my 

 way home, some to appear at to-morrow's 

 breakfast ; and excellent they are, split open, 

 dipped in flour and grilled, and, when still 

 very hot, a little lump of butter placed upon 

 them, should there be any butter in these days 

 of high prices. 



And so back to our starting-place, to pick 

 up the bicycle and pack the heavy waders 

 thereon. Fishing days are short in October, 

 and the evenings not as they were in the summer 

 months. It is well to linger at the top of the 

 rise, where the narrow valley widens out, and 

 look back at the scene. The gorgeous tints on 

 the woodlands are mellowing in the afternoon 

 light. Distances are misty-blue, and the smoke 

 of the village lies as a fragrant haze about the 

 wooded slopes. 



A haze on the far horizon, an infinite tender sky, 

 The ripe fruit of the cornfield, the wild geese sailing high ; 

 And all on upland and woodland, the charm of the golden- 

 rod : 



Some of us call it " Autumn," 



And others call it " God." 



