332 THE RTVER. 



Island Throw, which is nearly opposite 

 where we were now standing, and taking 

 his course so near to the head of the rapid, 

 that I had nothing for it but to turn him 

 or break my line. Fortunately the tackle 

 stood, and I had no difficulty in floating 

 him over to where Paddy was watching with 

 the gaff, and all was safe, for I never knew 

 Paddy miss his gaff yet." 



" Faix, then, it was not safe, your honour, 

 for a mighty big stroke the divel guv me : 

 it's nigh falling into the water I was." 



" By George, I had forgotten that," said 

 the Squire ; " but it is true enough : the fish 

 took poor Paddy such a blow across the face 

 and breast with his tail, that it brought him 

 fairly down, and boy and fish would have 

 rolled into the water together if it had not 

 been for Johnny." 



'' Hurrah ! " said the Parson ; " well done 

 all hands ! I suppose, Squire, after catching 

 such a fellow as that, you could not con- 

 descend to try for meaner fish ; it was the 

 Captain, I remarked, who fished the Ford 

 as you crossed." 



u Faith, boys," said the Squire, " if you 

 were nearly sixty years old like me, you 



