250 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



Viator. What do I think ? why, I think it the strangest place 

 that ever, sure, men and horses went down ; and that, if there 

 be any safety at all, the safest way is to alight. 



Piscator. I think so too, for you who are mounted upon a 

 beast not acquainted with these slippery stones : and though I 

 frequently ride down, I will alight too to bear you company, 

 and to lead you the way. And, if you please, my man shall 

 lead your horse. 



Viator. Marry, sir ! and thank you too : for I am afraid I 

 shall have enough to do to look to myself: and, with my 

 horse in my hand, should be in a double fear, both of breaking 

 my neck, and my horse's falling on me, for it is as steep as a 

 penthouse. 



Piscator. To look down from hence it appears so, I confess : 

 but the path winds and turns, and will not be found so 

 troublesome. 



Viator. Would I were well down though ! Hoist thee ! 

 there 's one fair 'scape ! these stones are so slippery I cannot 

 stand ! yet again ! I think I were best lay my heels in my neck 

 and tumble down. 



Piscator. If you think your heels will defend your neck, that 

 is the way to be soon at the bottom. But give me your hand 

 at this broad stone, and then the worst is past. 



Viator. I thank you, sir, I am now past it, I can go myself. 

 What 's here ? the sign of a bridge ? Do you use to travel witn 

 wheelbarrows in this country ? 



Piscator. Not that I ever saw, sir : why do you ask that 

 question ? 



Viator. Because, this bridge certainly was made for nothing 

 else : why ! a mouse can hardly go over it : it is not two 

 fingers broad. 



Piscator. You are pleasant, and I am glad to see you so ; but 

 I have rid over the bridge many a dark night. 



Viator. Why, according to the French proverb, and it is a 

 good one, among a great many of worse sense and sound that 

 language abounds in, Ce que Dieu garde, est bien garde, They 

 whom God takes care of, are in safe protection : but, let me 

 tell you, I would not ride over it for a thousand pounds, nor 

 fall off it for two : and yet I think I dare venture on foot, 

 though if you were not by to laugh at me, I should do it on all 

 four. 



Piscator. W T ell, sir, your mirth becomes you, and I am 

 glad to see you safe over, and now you are welcome into 

 Staffordshire. 



Viator. How, Staffordshire ! What do I there, trow ? there 

 is not a word of Staffordshire in all my direction. 



