4 A Sportsman at Large 



reasonable hook which he baited with a lug. Hardly had 

 the tempting morsel descended into the depths than I felt a 

 decided " pull " and a tightening of my hand-line. Novice's 

 Luck ! "Hi, little boy, you've got one," shouted the friend 

 in need excitedly, " pull up ! pull up ! " 



I responded as quickly as my baby hands could contrive, 

 and, sure enough, as the business end of my line came into 

 view, a silvery body was seen shimmering in the emerald 

 water and soon it was within my grasp. I have 'never 

 been able to determine to what species this, my very first 

 fish, really belonged. I have a vague memory of a highly- 

 coloured creature with considerable fin and tail ; its total 

 corporeal longtitude being about six inches. Possibly a small 

 spotted dog-fish. I was in a state of supreme exhilaration 

 and was for running off to display the victim of my prowess 

 to the family circle ; but Nannie intervened. " No, dearie," 

 she said, " you caught this with that little lad's bait and 

 hook. It is his fish for keeps ; not yours ! " My soul revolted, 

 but Nannie's word, for the nonce, was law ; so I was left 

 lamenting. Her judgment was equitable ; but I have always 

 doubted if it followed the strict law of Meum and Tuum. 

 I appealed, but my good nurse's judgment was upheld by 

 The Mums and other female members of the family circle. 

 For the time being I had to accept the decision of the court. 

 Not satisfied, I took my case to the Upper House, as repre- 

 sented by " The Dads " ; but, though he was sympathetic 

 enough, he decided that the appellant must be non-suited in 

 conformation with " the statute of limitations." 



That same dear old Dads was himself an ardent angler, 

 and taught me much of the gentle art. He had, however, 

 some weird fads, which he inflicted on my receptive brain, 

 most of which I had to unlearn. One of them was that, in 

 striking, the impetus should take a downward curve ; because, 

 so he theorized, the suppleness of the top joint of the rod 

 would cause it to spring up and so effect a quicker and more 

 direct attachment of the hook to the fish's jaw. Well ! well ! 

 well ! 



I fancy that this theory cost the old dear many a desirable 

 fish ; but he stuck to the practice persistently. 



