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had looked doubtful as to the ability of 

 this pretty four and a quarter ounce toy 

 to lutter avec une grosse truite. Now, 

 under his own canvas roof, and with his 

 associates, criticism was unconfined, 

 and the rod was verily on trial for its 

 life. The body of opinion was evidently 

 to the effect that while it might be fitted 

 for the capture of les petites, or even les 

 moyennes, one were better armed with 

 a man's weapon when the affair was 

 with trout longer than one's arm, 

 trout moreover that had lived their lives 

 in, and fought their way up so swift and 

 strong a stream. Had not Dr. S. taken 

 two hours and a quarter to bring a four 

 and an eighth pound trout to net in quiet- 

 er waters across the divide ! Two hours 

 and a quarter on a six ounce rod, and 

 where to seek for a better fisherman! 

 Figure it out for yourselves my friends 

 this trifle of cane and glue and silk, 

 pitted against a fish weighing perhaps 

 two pounds for its every ounce. Would 



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