98 How I Became a Sportsmax. 



carried down by the stream the first flood that 

 came. 



The pond was duly emptied, and the mud 

 dug out to a considerable depth, when they 

 thought they had effectually cleared it of the 

 jack. The pond was left dry for some time, 

 the small stream by which it was fed being 

 turned in another direction, and when it was 

 allowed to fill again, a great many young trout 

 were turned in ; but I am sorry to say that 

 in a few years the jack appeared again (how 

 or in what manner I must leave others more 

 learned in the matter to determine, I only state 

 the fact), and with them the trout disappeared : 

 thus showing how difficult it is to convert 

 water natural to the pike into a trout lake. 



Having safely arrived at the park, and made 

 an equal division of the spoil, we drank an 

 extra glass of the old Highland malt (whilst 

 my trap was being got ready), and success to 

 our next attack on the pike. The best friends 

 must part, and I succeeded in getting out 

 without a second edition of the old Highland. 

 " Good night, squire ; " '' good night, Jack ; " 

 and up I got. Poor Robert's turn for being 

 chaffed about his fish was not yet done. 



