SPLENDID EYES. 171 



world in his folds. But after the lapse of a few days, 

 the keeper came to the private ear of my friend, and 

 told him that a mortal large pike was basking amongst 

 some weeds, and could be seen plainly. " You are sure 

 to cotch em, sir." He was rewarded for this intelli- 

 gence, and exhorted to keep the important secret from 

 the other visitors at the mansion. 



When piscator, cunning fellow! thought that all were 

 out of the way, employed in hunting, shooting, or some 

 other occupation, he and John Barnes the keeper glided 

 down secretly to the awful spot, and they there descried 

 the semblance of a fish so enormous that it was doubted 

 if any thing less than a small rope could hold him. The 

 sportsman was astounded — the keeper was not; for the 

 said awful animal was nothing more than a large 

 painted piece of wood, carved deftly by himself into 

 the shape of a pike, painted according to order, and 

 stuck in the natural position by means of a vertical 

 prop, which could not be discovered amongst the weeds. 

 It was too bad, really a great deal too bad; but 

 tolerably ingenious, and beautifully deceptive. The 

 gentleman approached with tact and caution, and the 

 eyes of the fish glared upon him ; as well they might, 

 for they were very large and dazzling, being made of 

 glass, and originally designed to be inserted in a great 

 horned owl which the keeper had stuffed. 



" What a prodigious fish, John ! " 



" Very perdigious indeed, sir." 



" What eyes he has ! " 



" So he has, sir." 



" I'll try him with a roach. — There, — it went in 

 beautifully, and he did not move." 



