34 ANGLING REMINISCENCES. 



the edge a pace or two; the best of the pool is where 

 the shadow lies ; throw across, and take a curve with 

 thy cast down the stream. That was but a par, and no 

 monster, as thou seemest to think, by that start of thine. 



May. I pricked him. But ha! did you see that? 

 I have lost both flies ; he jerked them off like a pick- 

 pocket. What a prime fellow he was ! 



Otter. By no means only another par; but you 

 struck at him too forcibly. There, you see, he leaps 

 about with your hooks like a ballet-dancer. But 

 arm again, put on this red professor for a trail-fly, 

 and a hare-lug bobber ; one of these black hackles 

 will suit as well; you can try either or both, as it 

 pleases you. Be sure to fasten neatly, and tie a 

 firm knot ; chop off with your penknife the useless 

 extremities of the gut upon your nail, but not too 

 closely. Now, allow your line to soak a moment 

 at the edge, and set to. I will angle with min- 

 nows over the pools already fished. But there! you 

 have got hold of a good trout, a half-pounder at 

 the least. Don't let the line run if you wish to take 

 him, but keep it tight to his mouth, and haul down 

 with the current. 



May. He is gone also, and bids me good-bye. It 

 provokes one to break his rod, and forswear angling 

 for ever. 



Otter. Have patience, Bill, have patience; thou 

 must not hope to be a conjuror in the craft all at 

 once. Time will make thee an able hand if thou 



