TROUTIXC OX LONG ISLAND. 77 



and, as I had no landing net, I brought him to the edge and carefully passed my 

 thumb and finger down the gut to seize his gill. The chances were even then. 

 It was a mere flip of a copper between us; but just as I thought I had him he 

 "turned tail," and I lost. Disgusted, I drew my chilled limbs up the bank and 

 returned to warm fire and hot toddy at the house. After a while I returned to the 

 scene of action again. The others had come down from the pond to ascertain 

 Boots' luck. Boots was still intent on piscatory pursuits, standing deep in the ice- 

 water. No wonder he went home with a cold ! He had taken a half dozen. The 

 fat member I found snugly ensconced in an adjacent cock of salt hay, philo- 

 sophically smoking. The other I could not see, but I heard him hooting forth 

 some doleful salutations as a signal of recall to a late dinner. 



Limited space forbids any further details of personal adventure. Those who 

 kept sacred the opening day of the season in different localities met varying success, 

 but poor at the best. There was a general jollification all around within doors. 

 This was pleasant. But if I wished for fullness of enjoyment in trout fishing, I 

 should hereafter select some other day than the first of March. 



X.-IIF.. The foregoing chapter was written by Mr. Hallock in 1867, and gives a fine pen 

 picture of trcutmg on old Long Island nearly fifty years ago. EDITOR. 



