



CHAP, x.] THE FOURTH DAY. 151 



place, where you mean after to cast your ground-bait, and to fish, 

 to half an inch ; that the lead lying on or near the ground-bait, 

 the top of the float may only appear upright half an inch above 

 the water. 



Thus you having found and fitted for the place and depth 

 thereof, then go home and prepare your ground-bait, which is, 

 next to the fruit of your labours, to be regarded. 



THE GROUND-BAIT. 



You shall take a peck, or a peck and a half, according to the 

 greatness of the stream and deepness of the water, where you 

 mean to angle, of sweet gross-ground barley-malt ; and boil it in 

 a kettle, one or two warms is enough : then strain it through a 

 bag into a tub, the liquor whereof hath often done my horse much 

 good ; and when the bag and malt is near cold, take it down to 

 the water-side, about eight or nine of the clock in the evening, and 

 not before : cast in two parts of your ground-bait, squeezed hard 

 between both your hands ; it will sink presently to the bottom ; 

 and be sure it may rest in the very place where you mean to 

 angle : if the stream run hard, or move a little, cast your malt 

 in handfuls a little the higher, upwards the stream. You may, 

 between your hands, close the malt so fast in handfuls that tl\ 

 water will hardly part it with the fall. 



Your ground thus baited, and tackling fitted, leave your bag, 

 with the rest of your tackling and ground-bait, near the sporting- 

 place all night ; and in the morning, about three or four of the 

 clock, visit the water-side, but not too near, for they have a cun- 

 ning watchman, and are watchful themselves too. 



Then, gently take one of your three rods, and bait your hook ; 

 casting it over your ground-bait, and gently and secretly draw it 

 to you till the lead rests about the middle of the ground-bait. 



Then take a second rod, and cast in about a yard above, and 

 your third a yard below the first rod ; and stay the rods in the 

 ground ; but go yourself so far from the water-side, that you 

 perceive nothing but the top of the floats, which you must watch 

 most diligently. Then when you have a bite, you shall perceive 

 the top of your float to sink suddenly into the water : yet, never- 

 theless, be not too hasty to run to your rods, until you see that 

 the line goes clear away ; then creep to the water-side, and give 

 as much line as possibly you can : if it be a good Carp or Bream, 

 they will go to the farther side of the river : then strike gently, 

 and hold your rod at a bent, a little while ; but if you both pull 



