e or sort of fish has got hold of the hook,
when the float first begins to move, and then glides about as I have
described, until it suddenly disappears beneath the surface. I caught
four or five fine tench in little more than twice as many minutes. I
don't know why they took a fancy to bite so freely that fine bright
morning. Generally they take the hook best of a dull, muggy day, with a
light drizzling rain, provided the weather is warm. After I had caught
those four fish, I waited for fully ten minutes more without getting
another bite; at last, I came to the conclusion that only those four
fish had come to that part of the pond. There was another place a
little further on, free of trees and bushes, where I could throw my line
without the risk of its being caught in the bushes above my head; I had
not, however, generally gone there. Tall sedges lined the shore, and
water-lilies floated on the greater part of the surface and its
immediate neighbourhood. It was also somewhat difficult to get at,
owing to the dense brushwood which covered the ground close to it. I
waited five minutes more, and then slinging my basket behind my back, I
made my way to the spot I have described. After catching my line two or
three times in the bushes, and spending some time in clearing it, I
reached the bank and unslinging my basket quickly, once more had my
float in the water. The ground, which was covered with moss rather than
grass, sloped quietly down to the water, and was excessively slippery.
As I held my rod, expecting every moment to get a bite, I heard a low
whistling sound coming from the bushes close to me. At first I thought
it was produced by young frogs, but where they were I could not make
out. I observed that several of the swans I have before mentioned were
floating on the surface not far off. Now one, now another would put
down its long neck in search of fish or water insects. Presently one of
them caught sight of me, and came swimming rapidly towards the extreme
point of the bank. In an instant it landed, and half-flying,
half-running over the ground, came full at me through the bushes. To
retreat was impossible, should it intend to attack me, but I hoped it
would not venture to do so. Before, however, I had any time for
considering the matter, it suddenly spread its powerful wings, with one
of which it dealt me such a blow, that before I could recover I was sent
down the slippery bank, and plunged head ov