THIRD DAY. 87 



And now, let us sit down and repair this 

 rod of mine, which, in the last bout, showed 

 symptoms of weakness that should be looked 

 to in time. Let me see, yes, here it is. 



J. What do you use your knife ? 



S. Yes ; it is best to do so at once and 

 splice the parts, which may be easily effected 

 with a length of waxed silk. I am always 

 prepared for such a contingency, and would 

 advise you to follow my example ; for, to 

 break your rod at a distance from home and 

 not have the means of repairing the damage, 

 is a mischance which argues against the 

 providence of the angler. See, by carefully 

 adapting the severed parts, I bind them 

 together thus, and the rod is as serviceable 

 as ever. 



J. I shall endeavour to profit by your 

 advice and teaching. You are right in 

 your prognostic of a wet day. The sun is 

 already deprived of half its lustre, and 

 there is a rainbow yonder, which is the 



