AN ANGLER AT THE ANTIPODES. 109 
English folks have no notion how water can rise. I 
have seen the Clarence here more than 30 feet above 
its present level; and at Tabulam, 50 miles nearer 
its source, it rose, during the great rains two years 
ago, 67 feet perpendicular. 
New Chum. Spare my nerves, I entreat you, and 
tell me rather why we don’t turn down to the river 
at once. That pool below looks very inviting. 
Veteran. Too shallow, I assure you. Besides, I 
trust wholly to our black, and he, you perceive, is 
leading straight on to meet the river beyond the next 
swell of the ground. He won’t walk a yard further 
than our sport requires. I say, Billy, where are we 
to stop? 
Billy. Not long bit now ; see rock yonder? good 
place that one—plenty cod sit down—there we won- 
garee [stay]. 
New Chum. Well, here we are at last, I suppose. 
But if that stony island is the rock your sable friend 
means, I shan’t get there without coming to grief. 
How is a Christian in neat’s leather to walk over this 
wide strip of smooth stones ? . 
Veteran. Never fear-; our rocks are rarely slip- 
pery, even when wet. Only beware if you step on 
one under water ; this dry weather has crusted them 
with green slime. Hilloa! are you down? 
New Chum. No—not this time—but I should 
have taken a bath but for “ Billy” here. Your hint 
° 
, 
