160 DAYS AND NIGHTS OF SALMON FISHING 



the keeper came to the private ear of my friend, and 

 told him that a mortal large pike was basking 

 amongst some weeds, and could be seen plainly. 

 1 You are sure to cotch en, sir." He was rewarded 

 for this intelligence, and exhorted to keep the 

 important secret from the other visitors at the 

 mansion. 



When piscator, cunning fellow ! thought that all 

 were out of the way, employed in hunting, shooting, 

 or some other occupation, he and John Barnes the 

 keeper glided down secretly to the awful spot, and 

 they there descried the semblance of a fish so 

 enormous that it was doubted if any thing less than 

 a small rope could hold him. The sportsman was 

 astounded the keeper was not ; for the said awful 

 animal was nothing more than a large painted piece 

 of wood, carved deftly by himself into the shape 

 of a pike, painted according to order, and stuck 

 in the natural position by means of a vertical prop, 

 which could not be discovered amongst the weeds. 

 It was too bad, really a great deal too bad ; but 

 tolerably ingenious, and beautifully deceptive. The 

 gentleman approached with tact and caution, and 

 the eyes of the fish glared upon him ; as well they 

 might, for they were very large and dazzling, being 

 made of glass, and originally designed to be 

 inserted in a great horned owl which the keeper 

 had stuffed. 



" What a prodigious fish, John ! " 



" Very perdigious indeed, sir." 



" What eyes he has ! " 



" So he has, sir." 



