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A NIGHT HUNT UP THE CUNaAMUNCK. 493 



deer " by torch-light," which has been so often described — 

 but I have some doubts about his being so with that of 

 hunting them " by candle-light," which, I believe, is peculiar 

 to the Lake country. This hunt must take place dui-ing the 

 warm months, when flies are most abundant. Indeed, it is 

 as much to escape from their persecutions as to browse upon 

 certain varieties of water-plants, which then make their 

 appearance along the edges of the marshes, streams, and 

 lakes, that the deer come into the water to feed, and thus 

 afford an opportunity for this evening sport. 



Yes, the "dander" of my placid associate, Piscator, "is 

 riz!" He vows in his mild, but not the less significant 

 manner, that nothing short of a "ten prong buck" will 

 satisfy him, and so proceeds in a severe and ominous silence 

 with his preparation. 



The beautiful "double-barrel" — which had heretofore been 

 guilty of nothing more serious than wood-cock and ducks — 

 was to be unscrewed, taken apart, and cleaned to the last 

 degree of scrupulous nicety, in preparation for the more 

 important work on hand. Then, with mathematical pre- 

 cision, it was duly charged, and then, with a flask in each 

 pocket — for two kinds of ammunition are indispensable on 

 such occasions ! and a well-filled cigar case, he is ready ! 

 And he casts his eyes about — something is wanting ! Yes ! 

 yes! the "India rubber overall." For Piscator, like all 

 true brothers of the angle that I have yet met, has a peculiar 

 horror of risking the wetting his skin. 



I have, after much study, accounted satisfactorily for this 

 phenomenon, by the philosophical conclusion, that they arc 

 haunted by the constant apprehension of transmigration into 

 the corporate forms of the trout, to which they are so devoted. 

 I had even ventured to hint as much to Piscator, but the 

 nervous dread with which he evidently avoided the subject, 

 caused me to forbear, in courtesy, pressing it farther ! Being 

 a zealous disciple of Priesnitz, I have no fear of cold water 



