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He landed the three in a few minutes : they were about the same 

 weight as the last. The adroit Angler then went to an inn 

 and had some refreshment, while the two men went in search 

 of the lost boat. Not finding it they returned with the Angler 

 to witness the result of his predictions. We will now follow 

 our fisherman and the two men back, and see what occurs. 

 My friend made it appear as if he wished to pass the first place, 

 but the two would not allow him. One said, " are you afraid 

 you shall get licked when you wish to pass by the place." Pis- 

 cator turned round and seemed surprised, saying, " what fish 

 did I get here when we came up." "You caught three," 

 answered one of the men, " and said you would kill three more 

 on the way back." "So I will,'' said the angler, "and here 

 goes." In about five swims he caught three of about the same 

 size as the first three he took out of the same place. They 

 went to the next place. " How many fish did I kill here ? 

 asked the angler. " Three," answered the men. " Then there 

 are three remaining, and I shall have them out in a few minutes," 

 replied the clever Waltonian. He landed them and proceeded 

 down to the next place, when he said, " I caught one fish here 

 about a pound weight, and there remains another of about the 

 same size, which I shall capture in the first or second swim. He 

 hooked it in the first swim and killed it. When they came to 

 the last place, the angler said I caught the largest fish here 

 about two pounds weight and I promised to bring out his mate 

 when I came back. I shall do so, and won't be long about it 

 " I believe you," said one of the men; "It seems to me that 

 you can catch as many as you like, and as for the size you have 

 only to mention it and it is sure to be as you say. " Well, the first 

 swim he caught the fish." It was landed by one of the two men 

 and placed by the side of the first one. " Well, I never saw 

 such a thing, they both shouted out, it is but a quarter of an 

 inch shorter than the first." This ended what was thought by 

 the two men a very extraordinary day's fishing, but the angler 

 did not think so, nor do I. We know very well that if he had 

 continued to fish the places as he should have done, and as he 



