34 EXPERIENCES OF SPORT. 



"as I suppose I am to keep you all ten weeks, 

 why you must not grumble." 



" Then," said I, "if the water is not too 

 much coloured, I shall begin to-morrow." 



" And we will all come and see you, Charley/' 

 said the other men. 



" I shall bring that little black-eyed puss with 

 Lady F.," mischievously put in our host. " If 

 it is a fine day we will have a regular bout, and 

 see if Charley can run this fish." 



The next morning was all that could be 

 desired mild, but with a nice breeze. By 

 seven I was at the major's door, and shown in. 

 He was at breakfast. 



" Early bird, you see," he said, as well as he 

 could with his mouth full of buttered toast. 

 " Been about your affair this morning. Took 

 the net, and had a cast in my little pond for 

 some of the gold gentlemen. Dash me if I 

 do not think they would tempt an angel ; such 

 beauties, and as lively as kittens. Now, look 

 at these two flights of hooks I have set up for 

 you, old-fashioned looking ones, but nice square 

 bends. They are the jockeys for me ; none of 

 your gimp, either. Good salmon-gut, whipped 

 with the finest wire for a short distance up, to 



