16 A BOOK OF THE RUNNING BROOK: 



two methods. The Norfolkmen mostly use 

 " picks " formed of four broad blades, spread 

 out like a fan, between which the eels get 

 wedged. These are mounted on long slender 

 poles, to enable them to be thrust into the mud, 

 where the " picker " notices the tell-tale bubbles 

 rise, denoting the presence of " Anguilla." 

 Eel-spearing of this kind takes place chiefly in 

 winter, but there is another form of the sport 

 called " sun-spearing," which is much sought 

 after in the Irish loughs during the months of 

 June and July. In the early sunny mornings 

 at that time of the year, when the water seems 

 to be principally composed of sunbeams, with a 

 little hydrogen and oxygen added, the sun- 

 spearer sallies forth in any little boat he can 

 lay his hands on. Standing up in the bows, 

 and, if alone, using his spear to propel the boat 

 gently along, he steals over the crystal waters 

 of the lough. Presently he sees the gleam of 

 the " silver " eel as he lies quietly at length on 

 the sandy bottom. The spearer takes aim ; 

 there is a sudden " splitting of the atmosphere," 

 as Mark Twain would say, a splash, and either 



