36 AMERICAN ANGLER'S BOOK. 



When noon comes on, and the trout rise lazily or merely 

 nip, he halts "sub tegmine fagi," or under the shadow of the 

 dark sugar-maple to build a fire and roast trout for his 

 dinner, and wiles away three hours or so. He dines sumptu- 

 ously, straightens and dries his leader and the gut of his 

 dropper, and repairs all breakage. He smokes leisurely, or 

 even takes a nap on the green sward or velvety moss, and 

 resumes his sport when the sun has declined enough to shade 

 at least one side of the stream, and pleasantly anticipates the 

 late evening cast on the still waters far down the creek. God 

 be with you, gentle angler, if actuated with the feeling of our 

 old master ! whether you are a top fisher or a bottom fisher ; 

 whether your bait be gentles, brandling, grub, or red worm ; 

 crab, shrimp, or minnow; caddis, grasshopper, or the feathery 

 counterfeit of the ephemera. May your thoughts be always 

 peaceful, and your heart filled with gratitude to Him who 

 made the country and the rivers ; and " may the east wind 

 never blow when you go a fishing!" 



