118 NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 



he is resolute to make an escape ; and I would 

 be as resolute to restrain, and, if possible, to con- 

 firm him my prisoner ; so that what progress to 

 hope for in this solitary adventure, I know not, 

 till farther examination. However, here's no 

 body but trees to reprove me, except these rocks ; 

 and they'l tell no tales. Well, then, as he wants 

 no agility to evade me, I'le endeavour with ac- 

 tivity to approach him ; so that the difference 

 betwixt us will be only this, he covets acquaint- 

 ance but with one element, and I would compel 

 him to examine another. 



Navigators report, that fish can fly, and so 

 shall this, or I'le forfeit my discretion ; and if it 

 succeeds well that I conquer this fish, matricula- 

 tion falls, in course, from the vertuosos of the 

 rod. Now he runs to divert me, or himself; 

 but I must invite him nearer home, for I fancy 

 no such distance. Though his fins fag, his tail 

 riggles, his strength declines, his gills look lan- 

 guid, and his mettle decreaseth ; all which in- 

 terpret tokens of submission ; yet the best news 

 I bring him, is summons of death. Yet, let not 

 my rashness preingage me to a loss of my game. 

 For, to neglect my rudiments, is to ruin my de- 

 sign, which, in plain terms, is the destruction of 

 this resolute fish ; who seemingly now measures 

 and mingles his proportion with more than one 

 element ; and, doom'd to a trance, he prostrates 



