FLY-FISHING BY NIGHTLIGHT. 197 



the black arched back of a full-grown laker, as he 

 plunged to the bottom with one of Pat's " bees" fast 

 in his larynx to keep him company. 



" Hould fast, sirr, and keep him from takin' a 

 dance among the reeds ;" and in pursuance of the 

 exigency of the case he turned the boat's head to 

 deep water. 



Having gained the latitude which he thought safe 

 for a fair fight, he resumed his commentary on pass- 

 ing events. "The ould schaming sinner," he con- 

 tinued, "it's an advantage he'd be takin', shure 

 enough, of thim innicent bits ov corncrake's feathers 

 and the wool of Monaghan's brown cow, thinkin' they 

 wor the fat plumperlauns (moths and beetles) he used 

 to waylay among the reeds and the froth, when he 

 ought to be asleep in his own cabin like other honest 

 people ; " and with a satisfied shrug of his shoulders, 

 and a humorous leer at the line, as it cut through the 

 waves in unison with the movements of the " ould 

 sinner," he crossed his oars once more and took the 

 landing-net in his hand. "With large trout, such as 

 has been assumed as the subject of illustration, the 

 acts in the tragic drama might be extended to the 

 legitimate number ; for the hero of the piece has 

 quite sufficient strength and vitality to protract the 

 denouement to that extent. But at night, when the 

 performance cannot be so satisfactorily witnessed, the 

 clear indication is to terminate it as soon as possible. 



