NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 87 



hazard my reputation, with such ill success ; 

 whereby to lose such an eminent encounter: 

 but I am come to that point of resolution now, 

 that fish that comes next but to smell my hook, 

 shall prize the scent on't so long as he lives ; 

 where an inch of my line shall cost him an ell 

 of his life, though he attempts to saw my line 

 in sunder, with the ragged and jagged teeth of 

 his tail. 



Am. And is this the earnest you intend to 

 handsel us with ? Such a small stock of experi- 

 ence will neither admit of general nor particu- 

 lar directions to instruct and initiate proficients 

 in the art, to try their skill with a resolute fish. 

 Reach hither your rod, and that bag of flies. 

 Now should fortune contribute equal success, 

 we need not despair of a hungry breakfast ; 

 however, I'le adventure, and have in amongst 

 'em ; did you see him show ? 



Theoph. Yes, yes, I see something make a 

 show ; and it may be fish. 



Arn. What, a fish with an it, and a may be 

 too ? Stand close, I advise you, for he'l rise 

 again, provided as hitherto he has made no dis- 

 covery. 



Theoph. What then, will you discipline and 

 teach him the art of invasion ? 



Arn. I'le teach him to know that if one ele- 

 ment won't contain him, another must ; so, so, 



