228 FISHES AND FISHING, 



a pond, with an island in it, innumerable gnats, and 

 some small fish rising at them ; I mentioned it to 

 him, and in the evening we walked to the pond ; he 

 taking with him a fly-rod, &c. He put on a small 

 fly, but could not catch one to satisfy our curiosity 

 as to what fish they were. Two or three young 

 gentlemen, the water being low, had jumped across 

 to the island ; they had with them a fine large brown 

 water-dog, who was swimming about, snapping at 

 the gnats; as he approached nearly within the 

 length of Mr. L/s line, I said, *' Perhaps the dog 

 would like the fly." Mr. L. replied, " I'll try him !" 

 and suiting the action to the word, dropped the fly 

 before the dog ; swift as a trout could have done, he 

 took the fly, and was hooked ; the poor animal feel- 

 ing the hook, swam rapidly to the shore ; away went 

 the line off the winch, the dog ran out upon the com- 

 mon, and my friend following him at his utmost 

 speed, who being stout, and having had the advan- 

 tage of a good dinner, found it no easy task to run, 

 and jump over brake, furze, and briar, playing the 

 ^og> yet laughing most heartily, though anxious to 

 save his , excellent tackle. The young gentlemen, 

 myself, and several other persons were unable to 

 speak for laughing. At length I begged the owners 

 of the dog to call him, or the hook might injure the 

 animal ; the dog, thoroughly frightened at seeing a 



