152 ANGLING REMINISCENCES. 



to compassionate a prime roe- buck because of his big 

 eyes and graceful attitudes. I sympathize none with 

 it. But the twain are gone, and have no faith in 

 thee, despite of thy pitying phrase. Howbeit, thou 

 hast pitched upon a pretty covert for our day-slumbers. 

 The turf is to a wish, soft, green, and free from damp ; 

 and these birches, though they want the architectural 

 build and amplitude of the trees we have left in our 

 rear, form a cool, pleasant screen, such as we much 

 desire to ward off from us the sun's oppression. Let 

 us rest our rods athwart this bough. Have they not 

 a picturesque and natural look about them, as if they 

 were things of growth, not of handicraft ? This is 

 true luxury, Doctor more so than wading waist-deep 

 for a nibble. 



Swivel. Allowed, Bill ; but I have still an eye 

 river-ward, and fondle the notion of some huge, black 

 trout inhabiting yonder deep, half-sluggish pool. 

 Yet as for starting them now under such a sun, 

 'tis impossible. I am content to imagine their 

 existence, and should I be led to angle again in 

 this quarter, may have the good fortune to take 

 prisoners a creelful. At present let them enjoy life 

 untempted. 



May. Even so ; the sights and sounds on all sides 

 of us are infinitely more attractive to me than the 

 cutting off of their brief careers. Hear you not the 

 falls at this distance ? how this continuous murmur 

 haunts the air, intermingled with the more lively 



