162 TRANQUILLITY. 



the cow, however, I put the rod once more into his 

 hands, and reminded him of the fish. 



" Now throw a few yards above the spot where you 

 see the water boiling around that large blue stone. 

 Very well; advance a step every time you throw. 

 Capital ! Now you are precisely at the fish. Strike him 

 gently if he rises. Well done ! — by Paul Potter you 

 have him ! Hold up the top of your rod, and keep an 

 even steady pull upon him." 



" How can I keep a steady pull upon such a wild 

 animal ? Why he springs out of the water, and whizzes 

 about in it, like that fire-work called a serpent." 



" Be steady — be steady, or he will whiz you about 

 with a witness. Shorten your line ; get into the water, 

 and follow him." 



" What a cruel speech ! Why I never learned to swim. 

 You are exceedingly inconsiderate indeed, sir." 



" Swim ! why the water on this channel is scarcely 

 over your ankles, and I will help you if you should hap- 

 pen to stumble." 



" Then we should both meet a watery grave to- 

 gether. I have often read of such calamities." 



" In with you, — in with you, I say, or he will be 

 off. There, I told you so ; he has broke your line ; and, 

 pray pardon me, but pretty work you have made of it 

 with your tranquillity." 



" Well, as it seems to make you so uneasy, I will go 

 a little way into the water, though I shall not enjoy it." 



" Why, what is the use of wetting yourself, now you 

 have lost the fish?" 



" True, true, — I did not sufficiently consider that; 



