I04 



But withal, as inferred, this was not the only impression he made, 

 far from it. For once during the conversation — this marks the 

 exception — a particular lady arrested attention by pronouncing with 

 an all-conquering smile and that silent blush " none else might 

 understand than hearts allied," that she felt as if she were on the bank 

 of the river and watching the very operations which were so clearly 

 and convincingly explained. She, moreover, right nobly endorsed her 

 fascinating remarks by confirming a written promise made to sacrifice 

 both hand and heart ! 



But — oh irony! — it was not to be. Our gallant hero contracted 

 a chill tramping home wearily in the lethal mists of midnight, and 

 although he had avowed with startling clearness that the marriage 

 ceremony should not long be postponed, the avowal, after all, received 

 no confirmation in the temple of Hymen, but fell into the hands of the 

 recording Angel of Death. Our friend passed away like the shadow 

 of a sailing cloud ! 



It may, however, be advisable to revert for a few moments to the 

 matter of a salmon being hooked in the back. 



^ We may thoroughly rely upon it that the chances of getting such 

 a fish in the manner described, are considerably in one's favour. But 

 should the fisherman be alone, what is his only safe plan to pursue in 

 such an emergency ? 



Certainly not to endeavour to hasten matters at ihe beginning by 

 using brute force, but rather to put on a due amount of strain and get 



