io8 PIKE AND OTHER .COARSE FISH. 



Accordingly on the following morning we got ready for th? 

 start. Great cans with the bait ; the rods, luncheon, tackle, &c.j 

 were all placed in the landlord's four-wheeler, and in we jumped. 



' I will drive,' said Pennell ; 'all right behind ? let gc' 



The ostler let go, but not an inch would our noble steed pro- 

 ceed ; she put back her ears, shook her head, and made an attempt 

 to kick, foiled, however, by the kicking strap. The ostler then 

 tried persuasion, but it was no use ; the mare reared back and 

 made another false start. 



The coachman then touched her with the whip, and we were 

 off at last, first a walk and then a trot and then a gallop. We had 

 not gone ten yards when the mare all of a sudden turned right 

 round in the shafts ; she first wheeled to the right and then sud- 

 denly to the left, the four-wheeler going in the opposite direction. 

 She then began to kick, and backed right into the railings. Out 

 went the landlord and the ostler from behind, coachman and my-: 

 self from the front. 



I was nearest the railing, and took a Leotard-like leap over it, 

 mercifully not falling, for in an instant down came the mare oi 

 her side with a crash, breaking both shafts short off, and kicking 

 and plunging furiously. She did not, however, touch me, though 

 I was between her and the railing ; but it was a very narrow es- 

 cape, .We disentangled the mare, who was not much hurt ; picked 

 up the live bait, which were flopping about in the dusty road; and 

 walked back to the hotel as dignified as circumstances would permit. 



Another horse was then put into a borrowed dogcart, and we 

 had just got to the place of the former accident, when the shafts 

 began to elevate their noses in a most unpleasant manner ; the old 

 grey seemed to be walking on his toes, being almost lifted off his 

 legs. ^ ' ' 



' Out with you, gentlemen,' said the landlord, ' or we shall all 

 be over again ;' so we all jumped oft" like artillerymen from a gun-; 

 carriage. 



' Is this what you call going out jack-fishing, Pennell ? ' said I. 

 ' I don't see much chance to-day. We have been just two hours 

 getting ten yards from the door, the live-bait is dead-bait ; and one 

 of the rods is smashed.' 



' Never mind,' said Pennell, ' let's go into the garden and catch 

 some more bait.' ... 



Away we went once more, this time getting a fair start. 



We soon arrived at the mill where we found the keeper awaiting 



