“Oh, pshaw! now I’ve spoiled it all,” she exclaimed. “Sh’,” cautioned the boy, “that’s only fisherman’s luck.” He loosened the line quickly. “Now try again.” The second fling brought better results. With a tiny splash, the fly struck the water, and danced down the ripples. It had hardly reached the quieter waters when a lusty trout grabbed it. “Oh, oh!” she cried, “I’ve caught one!” “Not yet,” Fred warned her; “be careful.” The words were scarcely off his lips when flip! the empty hook shot into the air, and a scared trout shot back into the pool. “Oh, dear! that’s just wicked”; her tone was full of disappointment. “Never mind,” her companion consoled her; “half the fish we do catch get away, you know. Try again, now, but don’t get so excited and jerk so hard next time.” She cast her line again but without results; again and again she cast, but no fish rose. Discouragement began to show in her face. “Maybe we have scared them out,” suggested Fred, as she flung once more across the ripples. Like a flash to answer his doubt, there came a second splash of the waters. Another trout had grabbed the fly. “Keep cool now,” the boy cautioned her; “he’s hooked solidly; you’ll land him if you keep steady.” He stepped toward the bank to give help if needed, while Alta, a picture of mingled joy, suspense, and eagerness, slowly drew the struggling, splashing trout toward the shore. Then with a deft flip of the curving rod, she tossed it ten feet or more up the bank. Dropping her rod, she danced and clapped her hands in childlike delight, while Fred, whose heart was dancing too, unloosed the hook. “There, now, your bet is fairly won,” he said. “Oh, this is jolly!” she responded; “Uncle will be glad to give me that dollar, he’ll be so proud of me.” Then she added graciously, “How can I ever thank you for this?” “Don’t try. It’s the best fun I’ve had to-day. Do you want to catch another?” “Yes, indeed; but not now. It’s getting nearly dinner time. Uncle would worry if I’m away too long. Perhaps I’ll come again some time. May I? It’s splendid sport. Do you fish here much?” “Yes, indeed, come any time. I try my luck nearly every day, whenever the cattle are quiet.” “Well, don’t be surprised to see me again soon. Come, Eagle,” she called to her pony, and when he came, she reached to open her basket. “Here, let me pack in the fish for you,” said Fred; “I’ll put yours on top so you can tell it.” “Yes, but you mustn’t give me all of those fish,” she protested. “Now, please don’t object,” he replied, as he kept on filling the basket; “you said you’d take them; now let me have my way this time, won’t you?” “All right, if you insist,” she laughed, “and I’ll pretend I stopped fishing because I couldn’t get any more in the basket. It’s full to the cover now.”