l to work the big hammers when they used to dig iron here,
and melt it with charcoal. But never mind that, I want to catch some
fish. Now, then, walk out along that woodwork. There's just room for
us both on the top of the penstock, and we'll fish from there. Mind how
you go, for it's precious deep."

It looked ugly, and the old oak beams and piles were moist, and nearly
covered with moss; but I stepped out, and reached the little platform
through which the upright post ran, and turned round to look for my
companion, who was by my side directly after.

"There," he said; "there isn't too much room."

"Shall I go and fish from the bank?" I said.

"Oh no, we'll manage. Don't talk loud, only whisper, and don't move
about. I don't believe that fishes can hear all the same. There," he
added, as he baited my hook, "that's old Magglin's way. Let's see, are
you deep enough. Yes, that will do. Throw in."

I dropped in my line, Mercer followed suit, and then, in the midst of
the profound stillness of the lonely place, we stood on our little
square platform, leaning against the post, watching the white tops of
the cork floats, and waiting.

"As you've been fishing before, you know what to do," whispered Mercer;
"only don't be in a hurry, give 'em plenty of time, and don't strike
till they take your float right down."

Half an hour passed away, and my attention began to be drawn from my
float to watch the birds that sailed over the pool, or the swallows that
skimmed it in search of flies.

"Not deep enough," said Mercer suddenly, and, taking out his line, he
adjusted the float higher up, and I followed his example.

Then we began to fish again; but with no better result, and I looked
round at Mercer.

"Oh, it's no use to be in a hurry," he said. "Sometimes they won't
bite, and then you have to wait till they will. But look, something's
at mine."

I looked at his float, which had given a slight bob, and then another;
but that was all.

"Off again. Didn't want worms," he said; "wants paste."

There was another long pause.

"Not deep enough," said Mercer again. "Ought to have plumbed the
depth."

He altered his float, and I did the same, and we compared them to see
that they were about alike, and the fishing went on, till my companion
decided that we ought to have fresh worms, and selected a fine fresh one
for my hook, and one for his own before throwing the old ones out into
the water.

"Well, now,