THE APRIL DAY. II 



among the rocks they dive, where for some moments they remain, 

 in spite of all the angler's efforts to dislodge them. And often at 

 such moments they are given up as lost a surmise which frequently 

 proves correct. 



When for the last time I splashed ashore, there glowed in the 

 west a sunset of exquisite beauty wild and brilliant. It bathed 

 the hills in crimson light, and sent clouds ablaze with scarlet flying 

 in confusion across the sky. Shortly, however, the sun dipped 

 down beyond the hills, and although the afterglow still lingered on 

 the far ridges the April day was fast drawing to its close. Grad- 

 ually and gradually, " sober- suited " night crept over the dale, 

 accompanied by another brief snowstorm. But presently the stars 

 twinkled overhead, and the snow-besprinkled sides of the fells 

 looked strangely white in the light of the moon. The nor'-west 

 wind, with its wintry sting, moaned around the old inn and brought 

 the dalesmen hurrying along the road to the cosy bar to quaff a 

 steaming beverage and discuss the possibilities of the weather. 



Snowstorm and sunshine had succeeded one another, and the 

 wind had blown at its will. Darkness had fallen, and the April day 

 had run its course. 



