94 ANGLING REMINISCENCES. 



that I think on't, I may as well reside here, since the 

 old boy's gone. "Tis a quiet, retired place, and no 

 bustle about it to tempt me abroad. But ho ! 'ware 

 pike, comrades ! here comes old Clang-chops to look 

 after his neighbour. 



2d Trout. The wily ruffian ! I shall round and have 

 a sly bite at his tail. He did the same office to me 

 some months ago ; but he was nimbler on the tack then 

 than he is at present. I wish some of the land-craft 

 had taken him instead of uncle Baunch, who, praise to 

 his memory ! never devoured above one of his own 

 progeny at a meal. This fellow thinks nothing of 



whipping up half a score of us ! 



Exeunt TROUT. 



Enter PIKE. 



Pike. Hollo ! King Baunch, up, thou oily knave ! 

 and account to me for the rumpus thou niadest after 

 sunset yesterday. One would have fancied that Sir 

 Otter had a hold of thy spine-bone ! Now that I think 

 on't, thou owest me still for protection against the 

 robber nine dainty par and half a gross of minnows- 

 ay, and for last night's slumber too ; besides, not a bite 

 came my way, owing to these capers of thine. Your 

 majesty must tell down ere long, or I shall hoist my 

 war-fin, and show the bloody tooth. But what, King 

 Baunch ! art afraid to come out of thy castle ? Might 

 I not blockade and starve thee in't ? Show face, like 

 an honest fellow, and fear nothing. Answer, friend- 

 art deaf ? I roar enough, don't I ? What is the matter, 



