'With naked foot, without stocking or boot, Right into the stream he strode-- With a splash and a splutter, with a murmur and a mutter, And he frequently "Ah'd" and "Oh'd." 'Alas, as he tripped his bare feet slipped, They slipped on those slimy stones, And down he came (I forget the name Of the very identical bones 'Upon which he sat); but he'd flies in his hat, And as he went down the stream The fish arose, and tugged at his clothes, Until he began to scream. 'Round his hat's broad brim they began to swim, And into his face did stare. His mouth they eyed, they peeped inside, Much wondering who lived there. 'Their victim cried, "In vain I've tried To snare these fishes free. Alas, for my sin, as they've got me in, I fear they'll swallow me." 'But, "Alack, this Jonah's a fourteen-stoner," 'Twas thus that the fishes cried. "If we gape till we split, there will still be a bit Of the monster left outside." 'So Will landed him safe, our fisherman waif, In safety he landed him; With gobble and munch he chawed up his lunch, He was hungry after his swim. 'He has sworn he will never again endeavour Those innocent fish to hurt, For all he can get is thundering wet, And any amount of dirt. 'Your truthful 'FRANK.' After this, perhaps, it is not surprising that the boys voted fishing very poor fun, and took to mountaineering instead. They had climbed Cader Idris (a very pretty climb from its more difficult side) and Snowdon, and were resting at a first-rate hotel not far from Snowdon's foot, when they found the following letter on their breakfast-table from the Admiral:-- 'DEAR FRANK,--As your mother is not very well, I intend to bring her down to Dolgelly for a few days. Take some nice quiet rooms where we can all be lodged together at less expense than at an hotel. 'Your affect. uncle, 'CHRISTOPHER WINTHROP. 'P.S.--I have some important news to give you, and should like you all to be at home when we arrive by the 12.50 train to-morrow.' Frank read the letter out to the rest at breakfast, and then laid it quietly down by his plate. 'Snap,' he said, 'there is something wrong at home. I can't make out what the Admiral is always harping on economy for. Surely our mother' (and unconsciously there was a tone of pride in that 'our mother') 'can afford to go to any of these wretched little hotels if she likes. I shan't take rooms. It's all nonsense; I'm not going to have her murdered by Welsh cooks, especially if she is ill.' No one having any explanation of the Admiral's letter to offer, or any objection to staying where they were, the conversation dropped, but the boys were restless and unhappy until the 12.50 train was clue in.