ANGLING REMINISCENCES. 33 



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ness and precision. The Doctor himself is no bad 

 hand at the par-tail and minnow, but prides himself 

 over-much upon his novel contrivances in the way 

 of tackle. He angles upon a system, and his system 

 is not exactly the true one ; for it seldom manages 

 the capture of above half-a-dozen good trout, and 

 a couple of small pike. Gaff is, without question, 

 the best angler of the three ; that is to say, he kills 

 more fish in the same space of time than either, or 

 perhaps both, of the others. There is nothing, how- 

 ever, extraordinary in his manner of going to work. 

 The secret of his success lies in his being able at a 

 glance to discern the best water ; he seldom flings 

 away a throw ; but angles a good deal too rapidly 

 for my taste, striding on before one, and picking up 

 the choicest fish without stay or compunction. 



May. We can bind him to a tree, should he in- 

 tend the same trick at present. 



Otter. Fortunately, he is without rod, and must 

 act the mere spectator of our exploits, which are not 

 likely to be wonderful, seeing that the breeze is low 

 and the sun strong But how fares it with our gal- 

 lant friends, Harry Hackle, Timothy Gaff, and Doc- 

 tor Nathan Swiveltop ? 



Enter GAIT, HACKLE, and SWIVELTOP. 

 Hackle. Right heartily. We are fresh from the 

 city, and armed at all points with health and hu- 

 mour. Are fish astir to-day, and what wonders 

 have been enacted among them ? You have killed 



c 



