134 LONDON ANGLER'S BOOK, 



cur,' retorted Mr. Wilks, ' that dog is just to my fancy, and no 

 name is too good, so I'll carry him there and back, if he cannot 

 walk ; that dog, Mr. Jinks, has never been unfaithful to me, I 

 wish I could say as much of mankind; many's the long journey 

 we've had together, and many a service he has done me, and I 

 say and will prove it, this dog at my back is entitled to the good 

 wishes of all true Anglers. I remember the first time I went out 

 fishing, I left my rod for a short time by the river-side, when on 

 my return I found him contesting with a countryman who wanted 

 to take up my rod as there was a fish on the line attached; he 

 defended my property like a hero, and from that time I have 

 encouraged him. It would take me a day to tell all his qualities : 

 he will land a fish without displacing a scale, lie will fetch me 

 clay, keep the cattle from eating my ground bait, watch, and 

 warn me of danger, if, overcome by heat I slumber awhile, so 

 pray now, Mr. Jinks, dont abuse my dog because he don't happen 

 to be good looking, and recollect the old proverb, " a good horse 

 is never bad coloured." ' They trudged on till they came to the 

 14 mile stone, when, it growing light, Wicks contrived to get the 

 ilurn out of the dog's foot, for which he expressed his gratitude 

 by all kinds of strange and extravagant motions. 



Upon reaching the water they commenced angling, but with 

 little success till the evening, when they all agreed to go higher 

 up the stream, where the fish were more numerous ; they had not 

 been long there, when the keeper made his appearance with the 

 usual ' good evening gentlemen, any sport, I suppose you know 

 you are trespassing,' ' Why not exactly,' said Spinks, ' whom does 



this water belong,' ' To the Earl of , and I must get you 



to leave off fishing.' The party however, after conversing awhile 

 endeavoured to kindle something like good nature in the keeper, 

 and ultimately, by drawing their purse strings, and receiving an 

 invitation to join their company at the inn that evening, he 

 granted them permission to continue their sport ; when night put 

 an end to their amusement, they repaired to the inn as agreed upon' 

 where they were speedily joined by the keeper, who eat and drank 



