IRISH LOACH-TROLLING. 31 



ally found run up on the link of gut, is to be put in 

 proper trim if not much damaged, and the whole 

 paid out as before. Perhaps in rounding that point of 

 land in the distance, or coasting the sheltered creek 

 beyond it, you may meet one offerox's blood relations 

 out on an evening cruise for his supper. Ha ! 

 there he goes ! and at lightning pace ! But be not 

 over-anxious. He keeps to the bottom this time ; 

 and is probably well entered for the race. You have 

 therefore only to sit quietly for the present ; giving 

 him yarn enough, but at the same time letting him 

 understand by a certain strain of the rod and tackle, 

 that angling is not exactly what it has been sarcasti- 

 cally described : " A worm at one end of a string, 

 and a fool at the other." At the risk of coming under 

 the latter denomination, permit not the line to wholly 

 slacken ; if you do, ferox may not stretch it for you 

 again. After a few more charges and as many sulky 

 huggings of the bottom, he will rise and come near 

 enough to reconnoitre the enemy's resources ; but not 

 liking appearances, and considering prudence the 

 better half of valour, he will make a last attempt 

 to escape difficulties which he begins to feel him- 

 self unable to overcome. When he reluctantly re- 

 turns again to the light, you will probably observe 

 his gill-covers to quiver, and his maxillaries to ex- 

 pand more than befits a subject at ease. Then 

 standing up, and poising yourself steadily in the 



