A Sportsman at Large 309 



We descended hurriedly, set up our rods and donned our 

 waders. 



The shallows were only about two and a half feet deep, 

 and good going, on a bottom which shelved very gradually 

 toward the deeper end of the pool. 



Plenty of small trout were to be seen darting hither and 

 thither as I waded ; but they were not in the least scared, 

 and took the fly freely. They were pretty little fellows, 

 going about seven to the pound, but my soul was hankering 

 after far more weighty loot ! Presently I saw quite a big 

 fellow a three pounder at least following my tail-fly, but 

 making no attempt to seize it. So interested was he in the 

 strange contraption, that he chased it, nose on, right up to 

 the limit of my draw, and when I was obliged to lift, he rushed 

 forward, and actually barged into my legs ! This put the 

 wind up him, and he darted off into the depths. 



I was wading carelessly on, each step bringing me towards 

 the deeper water, when I became aware that Bedford, who 

 was perched on a rocky eminence high above me, was shouting 

 and gesticulating wildly. I could not make out what it was 

 he was trying to convey, but my progress was arrested. 



My valet came shinning down the rocks like a mountain 

 goat, and soon stood panting on the edge of the water. 



" Stand still, sir, for God's sake ! " he shouted. 



' Why, what's the matter ? " I asked wonderingly. 



' There's a great hole not three yards in front of you, sir, 

 with water bubbling up. Go back, sir go back ! " 



I did as desired, and being anxious to set eyes on the danger 

 that had threatened, I climbed up with Bedford to his original 

 position. 



" Look there, sir ! " he said. " Now do you wonder I was 

 near scared to death ? " 



I did not wonder ! 



For there, set in the midst of the pallid and innocent-looking 

 bottom, was a round hole, some six feet in diameter, from 

 which rose a spring of emerald water. 



Heaven only knows what the depth of that deadly trap was. 

 Had I inadvertently stepped into it assuredly these lines 

 would never have been written ! 



