164 ANGLING REMINISCENCES. 



Swivel. An unfledged bird, which I am somewhat 

 at a Ipss how to capture, he employs his rostrum to 

 such good purpose. However, I have got my fingers 

 about his throat, and shall lug him into your presence. 



May. 'Sooth, a strange-looking object ! Think you 

 he would prove delicate at the fork's point ? 'Tis 

 a prize, Doctor, and must visit the mainland in our 

 company. He will roast trimly, despite of these stilts 

 of his. 



Swivel. Aback ! pitiless epicure is this thy hu- 

 mour ? Came we here as kidnappers, forsooth ? 

 Why tarry these birds that they enact not the harpy 

 upon thee, destroyer of their progeny, and violator 

 of their cradles ? But it must not be, Master May- 

 fly, and this scion of theirs I shall hoist again into his 

 nursery forthwith. 



May. Truly, he merits no such favour. Look at 

 this pile of bone, scale, and refuse. What gluttons 

 he and his kin are ! 'Tis their usage to make a 

 pretty havoc hereabout among the infant fry. They 

 are poachers consummate, and do more to depopulate 

 our salmon rivers than the whole of our fraternity. 

 Let us make an example, and gibbet this bird at the 

 threshold of his sires. 



Swivel. Most monstrous and unchristian ! I credit 

 not my ears, Master May-fly. Is such truly thy 

 proposition ? 



May. Even so. 



Swivel. Thou'rt cool withal singularly cool. Can'st 



