ANOTHER PART OF THE RIVER. 59 



contrast, and so would even our friend, the Doctor, 

 allow, could we have prevailed upon him to quit his 

 close quarters for the fresh, kind air of heaven, the 

 fading landscape, and another bout at the river. But 

 let us put our tackle in readiness. I have an eye after 

 that calm, deep bend, a short way before us, and shall 

 first give it a trial with small moth flies, and, when it 

 becomes darker, use my famous black beetle. 



Otter. Your famous black beetle, Jack ! Let me 

 see it. 



Leister. Here it is : merely a large ebon hackle 

 twisted round a strong hook, and winged with raven 

 feather. 



Otter. As you say. But, I presume, you find it 

 killing on occasions ? 



Leister. Always during calm summer nights. It 

 takes the cunning out of an old trout amazingly. 

 These small moth-hooks are poor killers in comparison. 

 However, as it is still twilight, I shall give them the 

 prior chance. You intend to confine yourself to the 

 minnow ? 



Otter. I do ; and a dozen of the sweetest, silvery- 

 sided little spinners have I gotten. They will be the 

 death of an equal number of goodly trout, or I mistake 

 my skill. Look you how transcendently this one is 

 baited ; it will run to perfection. 



Leister. These water-coots destroy one's patience ; 

 what a lovely cast this had been, were it not broken 

 up by the flight of that bird. I noticed a large 



