14 WATERSIDE SKETCHES. 



the landing net, but only with the normal half-pounders of 

 the stream. Yet we are quite content and happy, and 

 •stroll lazily back to the brotherhood with clear consciences. 



The gay young comrade it seems at mid-day has found a 

 fitting mate for his captive from the weir, and is, as we pass, 

 engaged with his friends and the keeper in a vain en- 

 deavour to rescue his spinning flight from a submerged 

 tree trunk. We comfort him with the assurance that the 

 chances are twenty to one in favour of the willow-wood 

 holding its own. Our brethren at the backwater, com- 

 fortable on their campstools, with many an empty bottle 

 upon the trodden grass, and the debris of a heavy luncheon 

 at their feet, have had the premier sport of the day — 

 measuring sport by results. The tench have behaved 

 themselves in a freehearted and appreciative manner, and, 

 save that they manifested an unaccountable dislike to one 

 gentleman, showed no preference for particular anglers. 



Four rods have been constantly at work, and three have 

 been constantly taking fish. The fourth is in the hands of 

 the undoubtedly best angler of the party, and he uses the 

 finest gut and hooks, but, to his chagrin and surprise, while 

 his friends have caught fish whether careful or careless, he 

 has not perceived so much as an accidental nibble. Find- 

 ing him accordingly in a despondent frame of mind, we 

 ■cheer him with such cheap comfort as we can find at a 

 moment's notice. Even as we speak his delicate float 

 trembles, and then rises slowly and mysteriously until it lies 

 flat upon the sluggish water. Every angler knows the mean- 

 ing of that welcome token. There is much jubilation over 

 such a beginning, and we feel it right in duty bound to 

 drink each other's health in a flask of brown sherry, which 



