4 THE SONG OF THE REEL. 



Sometimes several trout are to be seen poised in the translu- 

 cent pool below the bridge, or in the deeper water above. In either 

 place they are somewhat difficult to discern, since, in the first in- 

 stance, their liveries are in concord with the small boulders 

 and golden gravel with which the stream is strewn. If but a fish 

 or two lie there, they are almost imperceptible to the eye ; but, when 

 poised in considerable numbers, as is the case occasionally, they 

 can be seen quite plainly. Above the bridge the water is deeper, 

 and one's gaze has to penetrate the depth ere trout can be observed, 

 but sometimes they " stand " nearer to the surface. 



On my last visit, there were a few fish poised above the moss- 

 grown structure. I counted seven, all trout. For a while they re- 

 mained seemingly motionless, then each, in turn, with a smart 

 action of the tail, would move first to this side, then to that, exam- 

 ining everything that might be edible. Occasionally, one would 

 drop down-stream and be lost to sight in the bridge's shadow, 

 shortly to reappear to take up its former station. Then a fish more 

 venturesome than the others would ascend to the surface and rise 

 at something or other, I knew not what. 



In weight these trout ranged from a quarter to half a pound, 

 but presently there appeared among them a monster fish for this 

 streamlet, a leviathan. A two-pounder, at least, I estimated it to 

 be, and when it glided down to the bridge it looked clumsy and out 

 of place in so small a water. Approaching the archway, it swung 

 round and faced the stream, then gradually it fell back with the 

 current and disappeared under the bridge. A considerable time 

 elapsed ere it left the shelter of the arch ; upon doing so it darted 

 through the deeper water and seemed to wriggle along inelegantly 

 across the shallows, over a stretch of fine sand which the action of 

 the stream had thrown up into little ridges that resembled those on 

 the sea-shore. 



Yes ! there is usually some little thing or other to attract the 

 attention of whomsoever is beguiled to linger on the Bridge of 

 Dreams. Ever is it a pleasant place, but never more so than when 

 the first anemones and daffodils appear, for then, if skies be clear, it 



