356 AN ANGLER'S RAMBLES 



scamper, disappearing from my view in a turnip-field not far 

 off. I have been furnished through this incident with ocular 

 proof of the fact, that weasels occasionally band together, and 

 follow their chase under the direction of the nose. 



A singular instance of the fearlessness and ferocity of this 

 little animal I also recollect meeting with. A partridge had 

 fallen winged to a friend's gun, and was on the point of making 

 its escape on its legs into cover, when I laid hand over it oppo- 

 site the mouth of an old rabbit-hole. Before, however, I could 

 secure it, out glided a weasel, and, fastening upon the bird, 

 dragged it away into the retreat mentioned, leaving only one of 

 the wings visible, by seizing which I disputed possession with 

 him for nearly a minute, nor did he quit hold of his presumed 

 prize until actually pulled along with it out of his den. 



THE GREETING. 



GOOD cheer ! brother angler, say, 



Is the swift salmon abroad to-day ? 



Have you noted the flash of his glittering mail, 



Or the free wild curl of the Triton tail 1 



Hath he sprung at the winsome fly, 



Smitten by the treacherous feather, 

 Heedless of the steel and tether, 

 And of human subtlety 1 



ii. 



Alas ! brother angler, nay ! 

 Salmon none have I stirr'd to-day. 

 Feint, frolic, nor break have I beheld, 

 But round me the wily grey trout bell'd ; 



