A PIKE STORY. 33 



a little, and then work him gently up stream- 

 that is, towards the head where the little brook 

 comes in. Don't work him with a snatching 

 movement, but evenly and quietly, arid if there's 

 any run in this pike you will have him. When 

 you have struck him," continued the major ex- 

 citedly, " give him the but, and hold on, for if 

 he gets to the alders or those rushes you are a 

 ' gone coon/ You shall use fine tackle, but strong 

 enough to hold an ox. Don't you say a word to a 

 soul. But come here this afternoon, and we will 

 have a quiet couple of hours in some waters not far 

 from this, so that I may have a look at you." 



In the afternoon I went down to him. We 

 killed three or four nicish pike, and the major- 

 expressed himself quite satisfied, and gave me a 

 few hints as to future proceedings. 



That evening the captain asked me when I 

 intended beginning. I answered, as soon as 

 there had been a little rain. 



" Then I may wait ten weeks," he said. 



" Well," chimed in Sir F., " you know, D., by 



the bet he can begin when he likes ; and as to 



rain, you will not have to wait long for that, as 



it is raining already ; and," he added laughingly, 



3 



