212 FISHES AND FISHING. 



rod. I put on a large hook, baited it, and presented 

 my worm to a fine large trout, who turned away, 

 having plenty of food. Mr. M. said, " There he be, 

 why doesn't giv'um thy bait?" At last he went 

 away, laughing ; as soon as he was gone, I took off 

 the worm, whipped on two more large hooks in the 

 manner of a grapnel, wound a small piece of lead off 

 plummet round the shanks, and dropped them ve 

 gently a couple of yards ahead of a large trou 

 brought it gradually underneath his gills, struck 

 suddenly and strongly upwards, caught him fast, and 

 knowing my tackle to be strong, gave him no play, 

 but landed him directly ; and as soon as I had taken 

 off my grapnel hooks, and put a single one on, I 

 carried up my fish, which weighed above six pounds, 

 to the house, and shewing it to Mr. M., asked him if 

 he thought it would be enough for that portion of to 

 morrow's dinner. Mrs. M. laughed ; but he stared 

 with astonishment, and for some moments could not 

 speak. At length he said, " Thee art the devil ! thee 

 sha'n't fish in my canal any more." " Oh !" said I, 

 "I'll take every fish in it, if you desire them." 

 " No, no ! I revoke my license to fish in my canal," 

 rejoined he. Mrs. M. was much pleased, for she had 

 told him not to be so sure that I did not catch some 

 of his overgrown fish. Next day, there were two 

 friends of Mr. M.'s to dinner, and whilst we were at 



he 



