THE RIVER-SIDE. 41 



ness and precision. The Doctor himself is no bad 

 hand at the par-tail and minnow, but prides himself 

 over-much upon his novel contrivances in the way of 

 tackle. He angles upon a system, and his system is 

 not exactly the true one ; for it seldom manages the 

 capture of above half-a-dozen good trout, arid a couple of 

 small pike. Gaff is, without question, the best angler 

 of the three ; that is to say, he kills more fish in the 

 same space of time than either, or perhaps both, of the 

 others. There is nothing, however, extraordinary in 

 his manner of going to work. The secret of his suc- 

 cess lies in his being able at a glance to discern the 

 best water ; he seldom flings away a throw ; but 

 angles a good deal too rapidly for my taste, striding on 

 before one, and picking up the choicest fish without 

 stay or compunction. 



May. We can bind him to a tree, should he intend 

 the same trick at present. 



Otter. Fortunately, he is without rod, and must act 

 the mere spectator of our exploits, which are not likely 

 to be wonderful, seeing that the breeze is low and the 

 sun strong. But how fares it with our gallant friends, 

 Harry Hackle, Timothy Gaff, and Doctor Nathan 

 Swiveltop ? 



Enter GAFF, HACKLE, and SWIVELTOP. 



Hackle. Right heartily. We are fresh from the 

 city, and armed at all points with health and hu- 

 mour. Are fish astir to-day, and what wonders 

 have been enacted among them ? You have killed 



