ANGLING REMINISCENCES. 137 



one I have just lost. See how he posts across the 

 pool! But what! are you similarly occupied with 

 another of the retinue? 



Leister. I am, Tom; and 'tis a gallant fin. Who 

 shall conquer first ? 



Otter. My rod is a degree too slender, and I can- 

 not deal as is meet with this fellow. It bends al- 

 most to my wrist, and is in danger of giving way 

 immediately should he make any violent efforts to 

 escape. But he is too heavy to throw himself out 

 of the water with readiness, and seems inclined to 

 steer deep rather than vault and gambol on the sur- 

 face. I shall find it difficult to fatigue him, as I dare 

 not trust to this switch of mine, and his leisurely 

 saunterings up and down the pool are no small proof 

 of inherent strength. That fish of yours seems in 

 a fair way of subduing himself by over exertion. 



Leister. He is an active fellow, and, were not my 

 wand a double-handed one, might manage to give me 

 the slip ; but I hold him firm, and have no fear of 

 his flinging off. I have already taken much of the 

 devil out of him, and he now begins to shew rib and 

 turn up his keel despondingly. But no ! he is out 

 again, marring the reserve of the pool, as if there were 

 fire at his tail. Should I get him into shoal water, I 

 must have the gaff-hook employed instanter and yet 

 without assistance, 'tis no easy matter to run it across 

 his flanks. Hilloa! bo}^, can I trust you to take the 

 keeping of this rod into your hands a moment, while 

 I lodge my grappling iron in the body of yonder 



