BLACK FISHERS 201 



so called from their masks of black crape with 

 which they disguise themselves : these men come 

 forth in the darkness of the night to burn for 

 salmon. When the winds are hushed, you may 

 sometimes hear the dipping of oars and the 

 clanking of a boat chain, and see at a distance a 

 small light, like a glow-worm. In a little while 

 the light blazes forth, and up rise a set of Othellos 

 who are about to take a private benefit. These 

 minions of the night are generally men of a 

 desperate character, and it is not easy to collect 

 water bailiffs sufficient in number or willing to 

 encounter them ; but if water bailiffs would fight, 

 how very picturesque the attack would be ! The 

 rapids — the blazing — the leisters — the combatants 

 driven headlong into the river. Why, the battle 

 of Constantine and Maxentius, and the affair of the 

 bridge, as seen in the famous fresco, would be 

 nothing to it. The only thing I should apprehend 

 would be, that the bailiffs would eventually sport 

 Marc Antony and run. 



In contradistinction to these illuminati comes 

 your plausible poacher, a sort of river sneak. This 

 man sallies forth with apparent innocence of 

 purpose ; he switches the water with a trout-rod, 

 and ambulates the shore with a small basket at his 

 back, indicative of humble pretensions ; but has a 

 pocket in his jacket that extends the whole breadth 

 of the skirts. He is trouting, forsooth ; but ever 

 and anon, as he comes to a salmon-cast, he changes 

 his fly, and has a go at the nobler animal. If he 

 hooks a salmon, he looks on each side with the tail 

 of his eye to guard against a surprise ; and if he 



