242 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



which is also very observable by the foulness of its road, and 

 the loaden horses you meet every where upon the way. 



Viator. Well, sir ! I will be content to think as well of your 

 country as you would desire. And I shall have a great deal of 

 reason both to think and to speak very well of you, if I may 

 obtain the happiness of your company to the forementioned 

 place, provided your affairs lead you that way, and that they 

 will permit you to slack your pace, out of complacency to a 

 traveller utterly a stranger in these parts, and who am still to 

 wander farther out of my own knowledge. 



Piscator. Sir, you invite me to my own advantage. And I 

 am ready to attend you, my way lying through that town ; but 

 my business, that is, my home, some miles beyond it : however, 

 I shall have time enough to lodge you in your quarters, and 

 afterward to perform my own journey. In the mean time, 

 may I be so bold as to inquire the end of your journey. 



Viator. 'Tis into Lancashire, sir; and about some business 

 of concern to a near relation of mine ; for I assure you, I do not 

 use to take so long journeys as from Essex upon the single 

 account of pleasure. 



Piscator. From thence, sir ! I do not then wonder you should 

 appear dissatisfied with the length of the miles, and the foul- 

 ness of the way : though I am sorry you should begin to quarrel 

 with them so soon ; for believe me, sir, you will find the miles 

 much longer, and the way much worse, before you come to 

 your journey's end. 



Viator. Why, truly, sir ! for that I am prepared to expect 

 the worst ; but methinks the way is mended since I had the 

 good fortune to fall into your good company. 



Piscator. You are not obliged to my company for that, but 

 because you are already past the worst, and the greatest part of 

 your way to your lodging. 



Viator. I am very glad to hear it, both for the ease of myself 

 and my horse ; but especially, because I may then expect a 

 freer enjoyment of your conversation : though the shortness of 

 the way will, I fear, make me lose it the sooner. 



Piscator. That, sir, is not worth your care : and I am sure 

 you deserve much better for being content with so ill company. 

 But we have already talked away two miles of your journey ; 

 for, from the brook before us, that runs at the foot of this sandy 

 hill, you have but three miles to Ashborn. 



Viator. I meet, every where in this country, with these little 

 brooks ; and they look as if they were full of fish : have they 

 not Trouts in them ? 



Piscator. That is a question which is to be excused in a 

 stranger, as you are : otherwise, give me leave to tell you, it 

 would seem a kind of affront to our country, to make a doubt 



