22 FISHES I HAVE KNOWN 



allowed to pick out of the meshes ; but perch- 

 fishing was the greatest fun, and once, when 

 moored close to the Eton swimming-bath, my 

 hook being cunningly baited with a live minnow, 

 the float bobbed violently and disappeared as 

 though viciously pulled down. I struck, and 

 thought I was fast into a whale, and as my line 

 had no reel, I was sore distressed, for my rod 

 bent double and threatened to break every 

 instant. 



Help, however, v^^as at hand, and, after a tough 

 fight, I landed a big perch, nearly three pounds in 

 weight and a perfect beauty, covered with bronze 

 scales and barred with dark green, his whole body 

 iridescent as that of a peacock. I had forgotten 

 that on his back were spines which he could erect 

 like a row of swords. I incautiously grasped my 

 prize, and got terribly pricked. I was a proud 

 (though wounded) boy, and had the fish stuffed, 

 and it remained in my possession for many years, 

 when one fatal day a deluded cat clawed it to 

 pieces. 



Before very long, I was allowed to go out 

 fishing alone, and often spent hours on the banks 

 of the Home Park, chiefly near the London and 

 South-Western railway bridge, capturing dace 

 and roach, I was either e.xceptionally skilful or 



