168 THE ANGLER'S GUIDE. 



near a house, where they might take shelter if 

 they needed it, "for," as he remarked, "we 

 had better get a little too wet inside than a 

 good deal too wet out." 



A real angler never minds a shower, he 

 always goes prepared for it ; but a novice, or 

 one who, like a butterfly, only goes out when 

 the summer sun shines, will, like the butterfly, 

 drive in anywhere to keep dry wings. 



They had not walked far on the bank of 

 the river before they saw some gents already 

 at angling, in a punt on the other side of the 

 stream. They were barbel fishing, and as the 

 wind, tide, and water were all favourable, and 

 they were clever hands at the sport, they were 

 pulling out the fish in good style. 



This our heroes perceived, and they sat 

 down on the bank, looking at them for some 

 time ; and as the sport was all new to 

 them, they had rather a strange conversation 

 among themselves respecting them. They 

 wondered what baits they were using, and 

 what fish they were catching. 



" How they lug 'em out !" said Bigings. 



"They do, indeed," said Stickings. 



" Hi ! hi !" said Rigings, " they understand 

 all about it ; they're old stagers, we must look 



