and the necessity of going miles away to work in the mills, where
the looms were driven by steam, added much to the discontent.

Having found his fishing appliances Ned hurried off to the school,
where his chum Tompkins was already waiting him, and the two set
out at once on their expedition.

They had four miles to walk to reach the spot where they intended
to fish. It was a quiet little stream with deep pools and many
shadows, and had its source in the heart of the moorlands. Neither
of them had ever tried it before, but they had heard it spoken
of as one of the best streams for fish in that part. On reaching
its banks the rods were put together, the hooks were baited with
worms, and a deep pool being chosen they set to work. After fishing
for some time without success they tried a pool higher up, and so
mounted higher and higher up the stream, but ever with the same
want of success.

"How could they have said that this was a good place for fish?"
Tompkins said angrily at last. "Why, by this time it would have
been hard luck if we had not caught a dozen between us where we
usually fish close to the town, and after our long walk we have
not had even a bite."

"I fancy, Tompkins," Ned said, "that we are a couple of fools.
I know it is trout that they catch in this stream, and of course,
now I think of it, trout are caught in clear water with a fly, not
with a worm. Father said the other day he would take me out some
Saturday and give me a lesson in fly fishing. How he will laugh
when I tell him we have wasted all our afternoon in trying to catch