38 ANGLING REMINISCENCES. 



drubbing, and a bellyful besides of river water ; at 

 any rate, we shall give them a screed of our opi- 

 nion, and compel their compliance into the bargain. 



May. Nay, now, we had better delay our inter- 

 ference; it will gain us nothing but ill-will and a 

 grudge. These rascals never forgive what they 

 imagine to be an insult, and are in nowise particu- 

 lar about the manner of their revenge. What say 

 you, Doctor? 



Swivel. Why, stand up for our rights, to be sure. 

 Can we hit upon a better plan than to march up 

 at once in two bodies to their shoe points, and, 

 without even a good-morrow, commence stretching 

 a series of cross-lines in front of them ? It nettles a 

 man stylishly to be foiled with his own weapon ! 



Leister. Good, Doctor ; the expedient is an ad- 

 mirable one. Hackle, yourself, and I, will ford the 

 river ; while Otter, May-fly, and Tim Gaff, assail 

 them on this side of it. 



Swivel. Moreover, let us hang out instead of 

 tackle an array of scares, in the shape of crow- 

 feathers ; they are to be found, I have no doubt, 

 in great plenty under yonder rookery in the elm- 

 grove. 



Otter. Excellent, Doctor; thou hast the knack 

 of scheming well ; so we shall e'en lend thee a hand, 

 in order to take the devil destructive out of these 

 rascals. 



