42 ANGLING REMINISCENCES. 



an angel of a salmon, Leister ; he weighs nine pounds 

 at the least, and is broad, thick, and clean-run. Some 

 of these trout are to be talked of reverently, and ought 

 to have given glorious sport. We must lie upon our 

 oars until to-morrow, and then 



May. An ominous and prophetic pause ! By the 

 ghost of old Isaac ! Hackle, you intend to level us into 

 mere nothings to take the conceit out of us in a 

 twinkling ; but no, old boy ! 



Hackle. Ah ! Bill, we had almost forgotten thee. 

 Thou art the newest top-piece of our divining rod, 

 and mayest, in a season or twain, work miracles ; 

 at present go catch gudgeons; thy cunning may 

 achieve thus far. They are a silly, quickly-gulled 

 manner of fish ; a thread and crooked pin may fill thee 

 a hatful. 



May. Were it thy hat, Hackle, the wisdom I 

 should drop into it were weightier than it has con- 

 tained hitherto. But, seeing thou fanciest thyself 

 to have some trouting wit, I am willing to back 

 Leister against thee for three songs and a supper, to 

 be paid nightly to all present after each successive 

 combat, during our stay. 



Hackle. Not agreed to, Bill. Fortune is no friend 

 of mine. 



May. This salmon afears thee, Hackle ; thou hast 

 a doubt of thyself more than of Fortune. We shall 

 have our song and supper notwithstanding. What 

 say you, Timothy ? 



