ADVENTURES. 157 



destruction and all for loss of a twelve-inch trout, 

 the like of which may be taken at next cast by one of 

 moderate skill and even in the temper. 



May. Is't so, Doctor ? then 111 to't again. Marry ! 

 as you predicate, I have seamed another at the muzzle, 

 and no stripling but I must use caution, for he makes 

 towards the bottom, where the weeds are dense. 

 Hallo ! knave, astir and shun trickery fight fair, 

 master trout ! 



Sivivel. So, to my mind, he doth ; not being on 

 parole, he is free to escape when and how he listeth. 



May. I have him. 



Sruivel. You have, Bill ! conquest unparalleled ! 

 triumph without equal ! never within its ribbed con- 

 fines throbbed, like thine, the big heart of some king- 

 subduer never was so stirred the pride of orator, when 

 he held in the chains of eloquence a thousand listeners 

 all naturally freemen ! Come, be not too large in 

 thine own reckoning ; lower thyself a grade out of 

 charity, lest I be terror-struck in thy presence, Bill, 

 and lose valour. Howbeit, I am nigh on a level with 

 thee, and hold fast some lively water-cleaver, which 

 mayhap is destined immediately to bite the marge. 

 But who is this making towards us, Bill ? 



May. Marry ! I know not. He hath a boorish gait 



but is armed, one may perceive, with authority. 



No doubt he intends to act the mar-sport. What say 



you, Doctor, shall we resist, or move off quietly at his 



bidding ? 



