96 LITERATURE OF SEA AND RIVER FISHING. 



native element, to drag out a pitiable existence, but leave him 

 where he lies, to die — he is dead already — 



" ' For he is old, and miserably poor.' 



Two dozen in two hours we call fair sport, and we think they will 

 average not less, Proctor, than a pound. Lascelles and North 

 against any two in England ! We beseech you only look at 

 yonder noses, thick as frogs, as pow heads ! There, that was 

 lightly dropped among them, each fatal feather seeming to melt 

 on the water like a snowflake. We have done the deed, Proctor ; 

 we have done the deed. We feel that we have five. Observe 

 how they will come to light in succession, a size larger and larger, 

 with a monster at the tail fly. Even so. To explain the reason 

 why would perplex a Master of Arts. Five seem about fifty, 

 when all dancing about together in an irregular figure ; but they 

 have sorely ravelled our gear. It matters not, for it must be 

 wearing well towards eight o'clock, and we dine at sunset." 



And yet a few lines more — 



" Whirr, whirr, whirr ! Salmo Ferox, as sure as a gun ! The 

 maddened monster has already run out ten fathoms of chain 

 cable. His spring is not so sinewy as a salmon's of the same 

 size ; but his rush is more tremendous, and he dives like one of 

 the damned in Michael Angelo's ' Last Judgment.' All the 

 twelve barbs are gorged, and not but with the loss of his torn-out 

 entrails can he escape death. Give us an oar, or he will break 

 the rope. There, we follow him at equal speed, sternmost ; but 

 canny canny ! for if the devil doubles upon us he may play mis- 

 chief yet, by getting under our keel. That is noble! There he 

 sails, some twenty fathoms off, parallel to our pinnace, at the rate 

 of six knots, and bearing — for we are giving him the butt — right 

 down upon the I^aracha Ban, as if towards spawning ground, in 

 the genial month of August ; but never again shall he enjoy his 

 love. See ! he turns up a side hke a house. Ay, that is indeed 

 a most commodious landing place, and ere he is aware of water 

 too shallow to hide his back fin, will be whallopping upon the 

 yellow sand," 



