148 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. [PART I 



and croaked, and seemed to rejoice like a conqueror, after 

 which he presently retired to his secret hole. The Bishop, 

 that had beheld the battle, called his fisherman to fetch his 

 nets, and by all means to get the Pike, that they might de- 

 clare what had happened : and the Pike was drawn forth, and 

 both his eyes eaten out ; at which when they began to wonder, 

 the fisherman wished them to forbear, and assured them he was 

 certain that Pikes were often so served." 



I told this, which is to be read in the sixth chapter of the 

 first book of Dubravius, unto a friend, who replied, " It was 

 as improbable as to have the mouse scratch out the cat's eyes." 

 But he did not consider that there be Fishing- Frogs, which 

 the Dalmatians call the Water-Devil, of which I might tell you 

 as wonderful a story : but I shall tell you, that 't is not to be 

 doubted but that there be some Frogs so fearful of the Water- 

 Snake, that, when they swim in a place in which they fear to 

 meet with him, they then get a reed across into their mouths, 

 which, if they two meet by accident, secures the Frog from 

 the strength and malice of the snake ; and note, that the Frog 

 usually swims the fastest of the two. 



And let me tell you, that as there be Water and Land Frogs, 

 so there be Land and Water Snakes. Concerning which, take 

 this observation, that the Land-Snake breeds and hatches her 

 eggs, which become young snakes, in some old dunghill, or a 

 like hot place : but the Water-Snake, which is not venomous, 

 and, as I have been assured by a great observer of such secrets, 

 does not hatch, but breed her young alive ; which she does 

 not then forsake, but bides with them, and in case of danger 

 will take them all into her mouth, and swim away from any 

 apprehended danger, and then let them out again when she 

 thinks all danger to be past : these be accidents that we 

 anglers sometimes see, and often talk of. 



But whither am I going ? I had almost lost myself by re- 

 membering the discourse of Dubravius. I will therefore stop 



