or Theo hardly knew where he
was. But he obeyed the insistent command of: "_Play him! Play him!_"
and play him he did. Even with the captive's final leap into the air
the trout did not succeed in freeing itself from the hook. Keeping his
prize well away from the boat that the line might not slacken Theo at
last reeled in his victim.

He gasped when the feat was accomplished.

The second time he knew better what to do; and before the sun was high
and the fish had ceased to bite he landed five beauties.

In the meantime both his father and Mr. Croyden had been so absorbed
in watching his pleasure that they had almost forgotten their own
lines, and it was not until a big land-loch struck that the Doctor
remembered he, too, was fishing. When finally a lull in the sport
came and the party pulled up-stream toward the lean-to, there were a
dozen good-sized trout in Mr. Croyden's basket and as many more in the
Doctor's.

Then came the disembarking at the upper end of the lake, and the
building of the fire. Dry wood was taken from the shelter of the
house, and in the clearing before the camp, on a foundation of large
flat stones, the fire was kindled. It was a marvel to Theo to see how
quickly Manuel and Tony made things ready. They produced a small
frying-pan, greased it, and had the fish sizzling in it before you
could say Jack Robinson. Then they unpacked the hampers and brought
forth tin plates, knives, and forks.

How good the meal tasted!

The great slices of bread-and-butter, with layers of creamy cheese
between them, seemed a royal feast to the ravenous sportsmen; and the
steaming coffee and thin slices of crisp bacon food for the gods. As
for the trout--particularly the big one Theo himself had caught--well,
there never was such eating!

After lunch was done the fishermen were loth to leave the sunny
shelter of the cabin.

Dr. Swift and Mr. Croyden lounged on the door-sill, while Theo skipped
stones in the water until his arm was tired. Then exhausted by his
exertions he sank wearily down on a stump near the lean-to and
remarked:

"Why wouldn't this be a good time, Mr. Croyden, to tell us some more
about Greek pottery?"

"Greek pottery? Bless my heart! I thought you had forgotten all about
that."

"So I had when I was fishing," confessed Theo honestly. "But I have
remembered it again now."

"You are a frank youngster," laughed Mr. Croyden. "Well, let me
see. You know the making of pottery was a fine ar