ROOM IN THE INN. 83 



and that you reckon among you more than one angler 

 of celebrity, we, the undersigned, being similarly situated, 

 are anxious that, as the river is broad, convenient, and in good 

 condition, a trial of skill should take place betwixt an equal 

 number of your party and two of ourselves say to-morrow, 

 or any other day of this week which you may find suitable. 

 The fly only to be used, and the contest to commence and 

 terminate at fixed hours, and under such restrictions as may 

 be agreed upon before starting ; the party losing to forfeit a 

 dinner. Should this proposal meet with your approbation, 

 you will not refuse us the honour of breakfasting with us to- 

 morrow, at half-past seven, and settling the preliminaries. 



" We remain, although strangers, brethren of the craft, 

 and your very obedient humble servants, 



"RICHARD HERON-BILL. 

 MARK WANDLE-WEIR. 

 ANTHONY SMOULTER-JAWS. 



All. Agreed, agreed. 



Swivel. So say we, masters : but who are these 

 Goliaths of Gath that come out against us ? 



Hackle. It matters not ; they offer fair, and will 

 fight honestly. 



May. 'Tis a civil challenge they send us. To 

 refuse is to kill our own good repute. Let us re- 

 spond and arm. 



Swivel. What ! thou, Bill ! thou engage to kill a 

 crocodile, who art slow to master a minnow ! Nay, 

 most valiant May-fly, aback, and learn modesty ! 

 It behoves our heroes of to-night to represent us, 



