SPLENDID EYES. 151 



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 en, 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 de- 

 signed 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." 



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