46 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



CHAPTER II. 



Observations of the Otter and Chub. 



Venator. My friend Piscator, ycu have kept time with my 

 thoughts, for the sun is just rising, and I myself just now come 

 to this place, and the dogs have just now put down an otter. 

 Look down at the bottom of the hill there in that meadow, 

 chequered with water-lilies and lady-smocks ; there you may see 

 what work they make : look, look, you may see all busy, men 

 and dogs, dogs and men all busy. 



Pisc. Sir, I am right glad to meet you, and glad to have so 

 fair an entrance into this day's sport, and glad to see so many 

 dogs, and more men all in pursuit of the otter ; let's compliment 

 no longer, but join unto them ; come, honest Venator, let's be 

 gone, let us make haste ; I long to be doing ; no reasonable 

 hedge or ditch shall hold me. 



Vex. Gentleman Huntsman, where found you this otter ? 



Hunt. Marry, Sir, we found her a mile from this place a fish- 

 ing : she has this morning eaten the greatest part of this trout ; 

 she has only left thus much of it as you see, and was fishing for 

 more ; when we came we found her just at it : but we were here 

 very early, we were here an hour before sun-rise, and have 

 given hel* no rest since we came ; sure she will hardly escape 

 all these dogs and men. I am to have the skin if we kill her. 



Ven. Why, Sir, what's the skin worth ? 



Hunt. 'Tis worth ten shillings to make gloves; the gloves of 

 an otter are the best fortification for your hands that can be 

 thought on against wet weather. 



Pisc. I pray, honest Huntsman, let me ask you a pleasant 

 question ; do you hunt a beast or a fish ? 



Hunt. Sir, it is not in my power to resolve you, I leave it to 



