re was the dead tree on my side of the pool, which was about sixty
yards in length, and looked as tempting a spot for a bath as can be
imagined.

The heat was growing oppressive, but the air was beautifully pure and
clear; and the insects which darted about flashed in the sunshine, and
kept up a continuous hum that was soothing and pleasant, as I began to
take off my clothes, enjoying the sensation of the hot sun pouring its
heat down upon my skin.

"I wish Pomp was here," I said to myself; and as I said those words, I
burst out into a hearty fit of laughter, as in imagination I saw his
black face shining in the water, and the great drops standing like
pearls in his woolly head.

My thoughts did not promise him much enjoyment in his bath, for divers
ideas connected with ducking, splashing, and the like occurred to me,
the more forcibly from the fact, that though Pomp swam admirably, it was
after the fashion of a duck, and not of a fish, for he never, if he
could possibly help it, put his head under water.

I was half undressed, when I caught a glimpse of a good-sized pike,
slowly rising to the surface to bask, and stooping down, and picking up
the stick I had brought with me--a good stout piece of hickory nearly
six feet long--I drew back a little, stole gently along the edge of the
pool till I deemed myself about opposite, and then raising the stick
with both hands, stole forward, to deal a heavy blow at the fish,
trusting that if I missed it the stroke on the water might paralyse it,
until I had had time to hook it ashore.

"Don't see why a crack with a stick should not do as well as an
alligator's tail," I said to myself.

That blow was not delivered, for before I could gather myself up and
bring my muscles to bear, the water flashed as a little wave rose, and
the fish was far out of reach.

"Better luck next time," I said, as I went back to the tree, finished
undressing, stood for a moment or two on the edge of the pool, and then
dived in, sending the water flying up sparkling in the light.

It was deliciously invigorating, though the water was too much warmed by
the sun to give me a swift electric shock; and as I rose to the surface,
shook the drops from my eyes, and began to swim slowly along, I felt as
if I had never enjoyed a bath so well before. For the water felt soft,
and yielding, and elastic, and as if no effort was required to keep
myself afloat.

"Pity old Pomp isn't here," I said, as I lazily