52 ANGLING REMINISCENCES. 



trout feeding on the way of its trail, and now it has 

 retired to the bottom, and probably will not rise 

 again for some time. There goes another of the 

 plagues ! I wish it were in a pike's mouth, or had 

 an ounce of lead under its wing. Bats, too ! One 

 might suppose himself angling in Lake Avernus, 

 with a cloudful of hobgoblins on each side of him! 

 These leather-winged imps are wonderfully taken 

 with my line and flies. I have caught one of them! 

 a curious little creature, having the face of a vir- 

 tuoso or relic-gatherer, with a spark or two of more 

 sagacity about him. He has swallowed the hook, 

 and as I cannot extricate it easily, must needs put 

 an end to his sufferings by placing my foot upon 

 him. 



Otter. 'Tis a pity to do so, and not rather set 

 him at large. Such a small piece of wire may work 

 no harm to his vitals, should you allow it to remain. 

 Divide the gut close to his teeth. There he goes, 

 straight to the old oak-tree where his lodge is, in 

 the caverned arm-pit of a shadowy bough 



Leister. To die of indigestion. But see, Tom, 

 a trout followed your minnow to the surface ; you 

 might have fixed him too, had your eyes been where 

 they ought, and your swivels in motion. 



Otter. Perhaps he will thrust at it again ; hunger 

 gives courage to some creatures. Am I not right ? 

 I have him beautifully bridled, and will lead him 

 round this alder bush into a cove or bay. Seize 

 him, Jack, with your hand, and let him smell our 



