AN ANGLER'S REVENGE. 129 



coming, and scud away into the pool, and not 

 return perhaps in an hour's time. I have often 

 been agreeably amused sitting behind a bush that 

 has hung over the water two yards or more, and 

 observing the trout taking their rounds and 

 patrolling in order, according to their quality. 

 Sometimes I have seen three or four private men 

 coming up together under the shade, and pre- 

 sently an officer, or man of quality, twice as big, 

 comes from his country-seat, under a bank or 

 great stone, and rushes among them as furiously 

 as I once saw a young justice of the peace do to 

 three poor anglers ; and as I cannot approve of 

 such proceedings, I have, with some extraordinary 

 pleasure, revenged the weaker upon the stronger, 

 by dropping in my bait half a yard before him. 

 With what an air of authority and grandeur have 

 I seen the qualified what shall I call him ? 

 extend his jaws, and take in the delicious morsel, 

 and then march slowly off' in quest of more, till 

 stopped by a smart stroke which I have given 

 him, though there is no occasion to do so in this 

 way of fishing, for the great ones nearly always 

 hook themselves ! ' 



All said by this authority generally refers to 

 dibbing about and under bushes, and so far his 

 advice is good. Do not follow him when you dib 

 in open water. There use a winch and blow-line, 

 and short foot -line, and with a slight wind you 

 K 



