34 ANGLING REMINISCENCES. 



an angel of a salmon, Leister; he weighs nine 

 pounds at the least, and is broad, thick, and clean- 

 run. Some of these trout are to be talked of re-, 

 verently, and ought to have given glorious sport. 

 We must lie upon our oars until to-morrow, and 

 then 



May. An ominous and prophetic pause! By the 

 ghost of old Isaac ! Hackle, you intend to level us 

 into mere nothings to take the conceit out of us 

 in a twinkling ; but no, old boy ! 



Hackle. Ah ! Bill, we had almost forgotten thee. 

 Thou art the newest top-piece of our divining rod, 

 and mayest, in a season or twain, work miracles ; 

 at present, go catch gudgeons ; thy cunning may 

 achieve thus far. They are a silly, quickly-gulled 

 manner of fish ; a thread and crooked pin may fill 

 thee a hatful. 



May. Were it thy hat, Hackle, the wisdom I 

 should drop into it were weightier than it has con- 

 tained hitherto. But, seeing thou fanciest thyself 

 to have some trouting wit, I am willing to back 

 Leister against thee for three songs and a supper, 

 to be paid nightly to all present after each successive 

 combat, during our stay. 



Hackle. Not agreed to, Bill. Fortune is no 

 friend of mine. 



May. This salmon afears thee, Hackle ; thou hast 

 a doubt of thyself more than of Fortune. We shall 

 have our song and supper notwithstanding. What 

 say you, Timothy? 



