220 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. PART U 



<c prest malice or anger by his swoln cheeks-and staring 

 " eyes, did stretch out his legs, and embraced the Pike's 

 c head, and presently reached them to his eyes, tearing, 

 <c with them and his teeth, those tender parts : the Pike, 

 <c moved with anguish, moves up and down the water, 

 " and rubs himself against weeds, and whatever he 

 cc thought might quit him of his enemy; but all in 

 * c vain, for the frog did continue to ride triumphantly, 

 " and to bite and torment the Pike, till his strength 

 <c failed ; and then the Yrog sunk with the Pike to the 

 " bottom of the water : then, presently, the frog ap- 

 cc peared again at the top ; and croaked, and seemed to 

 <c rejoice like a conqueror ; after which, he presently 

 cc retired to his secret hole. The bishop, that had be- 

 " held the battle, called his fisherman to fetch his nets, 

 cc and by all means to get the Pike, that they might 

 <c declare what had happened : And the Pike was 

 * drawn forth ; and both his eyes eaten out, at which 

 <c when they began to wonder, the fisherman wished 

 rc them to forbear, and assured them, he was certain 

 " that Pikes were often so served. " 



I told this, which is to be read in the sixth chapter of 

 the * book of Dubravius, unto a friend, who replied, 

 " It was as improbable as to have the mouse scratch out 

 " the cat's eyes." But he did not consider, that there 

 be Fishing-frogs, which the Dalmatians call the water- 

 devil, of which 1 might tell you as wonderful a story : 

 But I shall tell you, that 'tis not to be doubted, but that 

 there be some frogs so fearful of the water-snake, that 

 when they swim in a place in which they fear to meet 

 with him, they then get a reed across into their mouths ; 

 which, if they two meet by accident, secures the frog 

 from the strength and malice of the snake ; and note, 

 that the frog, usually, swims the fastest of the two. 



And let me tell you, That as there be water and land- 

 frogs, so there be land and water-snakes. Concern- 

 ing which, take this observation, that the land-snake 

 breeds, and hatches, her eggs which become young 



* Walton should have said of the Jirst book : for: there it is to b 

 found. 



