84 ANGLING REMINISCENCES. 



and not thee. Stand forth, Jack Leister and Tom 

 Otter, stand forth ! Ye are our men of pride, and 

 these bones bear witness to you ! Yon grim, huge 

 head, gapes monarchically from the dish, where it 

 lies and proclaims your merits. And you, gentle- 

 men, what say you ? 



All. Leister and Otter for ever ! 



Leister. You greatly honour our poor abilities, 

 Doctor ; but be it so. How, Tom, are you dis- 

 posed ? Shall we obey the commonwealth ? 



Otter. I object not, aided by so powerful an 

 ally ; yet, or I am mistaken, these rival brethren of 

 the craft, who so self-confidently challenge us, are 

 neither raw nor undisciplined. I know one of them 

 already by repute Wandle-weir, an Englishman, 

 I believe, and one well versed in all the mysteries 

 of the art. However, 'tis more endurable to be 

 vanquished by men of skill, than have a fair name 

 taken from us through vulgar and dishonest craft, 

 such as is practised against strangers by the dons 

 of a small watering-place on Tweedside. But we 

 must send a reply. 



Swivel. Be thou our secretary, Harry, and so 

 dictate : 



" GENTLEMEN, 



"We gave ready welcome to your note of chal- 

 lenge, and have selected two out of our body, willing to com- 

 pete with you on the proposed terms. We suggest more- 

 over, that the contest shall take place to-morrow, and accord- 



