33 



CHAPTEE IT. 



THE RIVER-SIDE. 



TOM OTTER AND BILL MAY-FLY. 



Otter. Thou hast an enviable wand, May-fly, and 

 goodly gear; an' thou dost not tempt a fin with 

 these flies of thine, thou art no angler. 



May. Ay ! my rod is a fair one a neat piece of 

 wood, I must confess ; it is light and taper as a 

 water-rush, bends to a breath, but is strong in the 

 marrow as an oak-post ; yet, as for my tackle, 

 though it looks tempting, and is wrought seem- 

 ingly by subtle and fantastic fingers, may I be 

 thrice soused if it will raise even a minnow. 



Otter. No marvel indeed! thou art whipping at the 

 water like a boatswain's mate, and makest a perfect 

 maelstrom on the surface ! Think you that fish 

 will be curious to look at thy flies 'mid such a tem- 

 pest? Let the line fall more gently, and keep from 



