Blue dragon-flies darted to and fro, or sat on water-plants as if they were flowers.

Snakes swam across the channels, vibrating their heads from side to side.

Swallows swept over his head.

Pike "struck" from the verge of the thick weeds as he came near.

Perch rose for insects as they fell helpless into the water.
He noticed that the water, though so thick with reeds, was as clear as that in the open Lake; there was no scum such as accumulates in stagnant places.