_Sm-th_ (_shoving strenuously_). My duty--to my--pals and punt--must be done--at any cost; but if this is--"the contemplative man's recreation,"--give me a hammock at Greenlands! (_Puffs and blows. Aloud._) Are you all right, there, G-SCH-N? _G-sch-n_ (_petulantly_). All right be blowed! What are _you_ up to? _Sm-th_ (_mildly_). Trying to keep you straight, of course, my dear boy? _G-sch-n_. Oh! I like _that_! _B-lf-r_ (_working away at his winch_). Humph! We've stirred up a quiet swim, wasted a lot of ground-bait, lost several fish, and--now where are we? _Sm-th_. Look out, G-SCH-N! We shall be foul of that awkward snag if we're not careful! Let's settle down here. _G-sch-n_ (_stabbing wildly with his pole_). All very well--but I can't find bottom that will hold. Shove, SM-TH, and keep your end up! _Sm-th_. Just what I'm trying to do. [_Pushes gallantly._ _B-lf-r_. Nice chance for hooking 'em after this infernal stir-up! Take me half an hour to get my tackle out of tangle, and then it'll be close on to shutting-up time. One big 'un and two or three little ones not much to return with. Look at those impudent young rascals chyiking us from the banks! Oh, for heaven's sake, you fellows, get her fixed! _Sm-th_. Hear the weir roaring, G-SCH-N? We're getting too near "Danger," dear boy. That's right, you've got ground there. Now, then hold her up! hold her up! _G-sch-n_ (_a tip-toe, and at an angle_). Dash it, how she drags! I was all but over! Come up! There, SM-TH, shove her up sharp, or I shall be off, or lose the pole! _Sm-th_ (_shoving his hardest_). All right! Shove it is!! Hold on, G-SCH-N,--_I'm_ here!!! _Rude Boys_ (_from the bank_). Yah--Boo! Better git out and walk, and let _hus_ pole that punt for yer? * * * * * [Illustration: ALL ADRIFT! W.H. SMITH. "HOLD ON, GOSCHEN. _I'M_ HERE!!"] * * * * * CHILD'S CHIT-CHAT. (_POSSIBLY WRITTEN FOR PROPOSED INSERTION IN CERTAIN OF MR. PUNCH'S FEMININE CONTEMPORARIES._)