ANGLING REMINISCENCES. 147 



but shall slumber pleasantly where I am, until Leis- 

 ter heave up alongside, on his return from Loch 

 Luichart. 



Swivel. The ravens will assail thee, Bill, an thou 

 sleepest; moreover, there be wild cats in the neigh- 

 bourhood, and weasels without count. See, what is 

 this? no other than a huge viper. 



May. Say you, Doctor, a viper ! a hydra ! Egad 

 'tis time to shove off where is the legless ruffian, 

 that we may smite him ? 



Swivel. Here, Bill, coiled up like a Russian knout, 

 and hissing on us with head erect, after the fashion 

 of a tea-kettle. He will escape an you be not quick 

 at marring him. 



May. No fear; I shall stay his careering stylish- 

 ly, or the cunning is out of my right hand. Mawy! 

 I have hit him on the sconce, and ta'en the edge 

 out of his fangs ; but I must now impede his mo- 

 tion with a tail-cut, else will he, as you say, bid 

 us good-morrow among the brackens. How lovest 

 thou this, thou worm of Acheron ? methinks thy 

 vertebral screw is somewhat damaged ! Oh ! thou 

 ugly, flat-pated fiend, toad-hued, abominable reptile, 

 still wouldest thou exalt thee with grim malicious 

 visage and horrid crest ! Abate thee, Master Spit- 

 fire, and bite the sod! 



Swivel. What bloody fractions, Bill, thou hast 

 parcelled him into ! Where is thy heart, man ? Be- 

 shrew thee for want of charity ! 



May. Bah ! Doctor, 'twas in sheer charity I so 



