the sound of great fish feeding rapidly, greedily, on sedge flies. I cast and east. The frenzy was upon me that is born of the last moment of daylight, a rise of the big ones, and—an empty creel.
Over the turf, silently, there came towards me a dim figure, which as it approached resolved itself into the likeness of a lively old man, clothed in black, with an apron and gaiters upon his shapely legs, and a low-crowned, broad hat upon his head. His round cheeks were apples, his nose was coloured by nothing but the soundest port, yet his eyes were bright and youthful—a rotund, comfortable elder. Lace ruffles were at his wrists, and a pair of bands depended below his two ample chins. I assumed him to be some dignitary of the cathedral with an old-fashioned taste in dress. A huge creel was slung over his plump shoulders, and in his hand he bore a tremendous fishing-rod. These things placed him among the fraternity.
He said, "Master, well met!" and I understood him to be a facetious old gentleman. Humour was out of harmony with my mood, but I strove to be civil. "Grammercy!" said I, "vastly well met!" He did not smile, and I put him down as one of those humorists whom their own wit alone entertains, and went on fishing. Minutes were precious. I was aware that he remained beside
