76 GOLDEN DAYS 



dabra that thrilled us in the golden days 

 of picture books. But he only keeps on 

 tapping, while through the leafy screen of 

 twigs the dead blue-bottle is seen to be 

 keeping even time, for ever dancing on 

 the face of the waters. 



This continues endlessly, till unexpect- 

 edly there is a movement in the murky 

 depths and a dark fin shows for a moment 

 on the surface, but some distance away 

 from the blue-bottle, who is now footing 

 it famously, while Jean Pierre makes the 

 time. Then comes a second splash in 

 the water a good two feet nearer the 

 fly, who is now dancing furiously, while 

 our old friend's mouth grows tight, and 

 curiously tremulous lines appear at its 

 corners. Then, on a sudden, his rod 

 bends. There is a short, sharp fight, till 

 a net is dexterously inserted in a lower 

 cave, previously cut, close above the bank 

 (Jean Pierre takes no unnecessary chances). 

 Through this opening a fat pound 

 trout emerges and is plumped upon the 

 grass. Surely Jean Pierre is a wizard, 

 for on most summer days he can thus 

 account for five good brace at least ! 



