198 FISHING GOSSIP. 



For this purpose, the onus must be thrown on the rod 

 and tackle, which require to be managed with a stiff 

 hand, and subjected to the severest test. The first 

 time therefore that the truant can be brought to the 

 efficient distance of the net, that useful implement 

 should at once transfer him to the safe-keeping of the 

 locker. Pat may be safely intrusted with this im- 

 portant duty ; and is anxious no doubt to smoke a 

 pipe at the captive's " wake." 



The capture of one of these large fish is in most 

 cases so like another, that further description would 

 be superfluous. After twelve too the sport need not 

 be prolonged. The fish themselves appear to feel the 

 drowsy influence of that hour ; and to slacken in 

 their raids on the moths and other insect lovers of 

 the night. Our noisy little companions, the gulls, 

 have ceased their scolding in the air, and folded 

 their heads under their downy wings. The bittern, 

 the last of which was shot in this district some 

 45 years ago, has suspended his hollow booming in 

 the marsh. The hawk and the heron those mortal 

 enemies, which nature by some inscrutable arrange- 

 ment ordains to build their nests in neighbouring 

 trees have discontinued their nocturnal combat, into 

 which they were roused by our approach to the island. 

 The owl, the otter, and the fox those stealthy appari- 

 tions of the night, which so often crossed my path in 

 these lonely regions are no longer heard or seen to 



