60 ANGLING REMINISCENCES. 



trout feeding on the way of its trail, and now it has 

 retired to the bottom, and probably will not rise again 

 for some time. There goes another of the plagues ! I 

 wish it were in a pike's mouth, or had an ounce of 

 lead under its wing. Bats, too ! One might suppose 

 himself angling in Lake Avernus, with a cloudful 

 of hobgoblins on each side of him ! These leather- 

 winged imps are wonderfully taken with my line and 

 flies. I have caught one of them ! a curious little 

 creature, having the face of a virtuoso or relic-gatherer, 

 with a spark or two of more sagacity about him. He 

 has swallowed the hook, and as I cannot extricate it 

 easily, must needs put an end to his sufferings by 

 placing my foot upon him. 



Otter. Tis a pity to do so, and not rather set him at 

 large. Such a small piece of wire may work no harm 

 to his vitals, should you allow it to remain. Divide 

 the gut close to his teeth. There he goes, straight to 

 the old oak-tree where his lodge is, in the caverned 

 arm-pit of a shadowy bough 



Leister. To die of indigestion. But see, Tom, a 

 trout followed your minnow to the surface ; you might 

 have fixed him too, had your eyes been where they 

 ought, and your swivels in motion. 



Otter. Perhaps he will thrust at it again ; hunger 

 gives courage to some creatures. Am I not right ? 

 I have him beautifully bridled, and will lead him 

 round this alder bush into a cove or bay. Seize 

 him, Jack, with your hand, and let him smell our 



