CHAPTER X. 



CHITTENDEN AND DRUCE LAKES. SANDY M'GREE'S 

 EEL PIE. 



A friend of mine, a Mr. George Wallace of Chicago, 

 told me last week that he took a silver eel weighing 

 about three pounds from Chittenden Lake last July. 

 His catch was somewhat unique, for I have since asked 

 many anglers who have fished the lakes for years 

 whether they have ever seen or caught an eel in its 

 waters, and their answer invariably has been: "No." 



It is strange that eels are not found in great numbers 

 in these lakes. Everything is favorable for their exist- 

 enceplenty of feed, a muddy bottom in which to 

 secrete themselves during the colder months, and 

 gravelly shallows in which to scour at nights for food. 

 Added to this the eel is a most delicious eating fish, 

 propagates very rapidly, and will travel long distances 

 at night through the wet grass from one piece of water 

 to another. 



Speaking of eels reminds me of the time when I was 

 in Edinburgh, Scotland, some ten years ago. I was stay- 

 ing with a Scotch friend who had undertaken to escort 

 me around and show me the sights. He turned round 

 to me one evening, just as we were coming out of 

 the theater, and with that solemn air of dispropor- 

 tionate gravity with which only a Scotchman can pro- 

 pound some trifling query, said: 



"Mon, ha' ye ever eaten one o' Sandy McGree's hot 

 eel pies?" 



"An eel pie," I answered; "what the deuce is an eel 

 pie?" 



"An eel pie," my friend asserted, "is the most luscious 

 and delicious combination o' pastry and fish ye ever 

 tasted! Gang along and* we'll baith buy one." 

 (77) 



