adow of the mountain, which reared its rugged
crest close to it, usually darkened the surface, but, at the time we
write of, a glowing sun poured its rays into the deepest recesses of the
pool--a fact which filled Mr Sudberry, in his ignorance, with delight;
but which, had he known better, would have overwhelmed him with dismay.
In the present instance it happened that "ignorance was bliss," for as
every fish in the pool was watching the angler with grave upturned eyes
while he put up his rod, and would as soon have attempted to swallow Mr
Sudberry's hat as leap at his artificial flies, it was well that he was
not aware of the fact, otherwise his joy of heart would have been turned
into sorrow sooner than there was any occasion for.

Musing on piscatorial scenes past, present, and to come, Mr Sudberry
passed the line through the rings of his rod with trembling and excited
fingers.

While thus engaged, he observed a break on the surface of the pool, and
a fish caused a number of rings to form on the water; those floated
toward him as if to invite him on. Mr Sudberry was red-hot now with
hope and expectation. It was an _enormous_ trout that had risen. Most
trouts that are seen, but not caught, are enormous!

There is no pleasure without its alloy. It could not be expected that
the course of true sport, any more than that of true love, should run
smooth. Mr Sudberry's ruddy face suddenly turned pale when he
discovered that he had forgotten his fishing book! Each pocket in his
coat was slapped and plunged into with vehement haste, while drops of
cold perspiration stood on his forehead. It was not to be found.
Suddenly he recollected the basket at his back: wrenching it open, he
found the book there, and joy again suffused his visage.

Selecting his best line and hooks--as pointed out to him by Hector--Mr
Sudberry let out a few yards of line, and prepared for action.
Remembering the advice and example of his friend, he made his first
cast.

Ha! not so bad. The line fell rather closer to the bank on which he
stood than was consistent with the vigour of the cast; but never mind,
the next would be better! The next _was_ better. The line went out to
its full extent, and came down on the water with such a splash that no
trout in its senses would have looked at the place for an hour
afterwards. But Mr Sudberry was ignorant of this, so he went on
hopefully.

As yet the line was short, so he let out half a dozen ya