ANGLING REMINISCENCES. 149 



destruction and all for loss of a twelve-inch trout, 

 the like of which may be taken at next cast by one 

 of moderate skill and even in the temper. 



May. Is't so, Doctor? then I'll to't again. Marry ! 

 as you predicate, I have seamed another at the muz- 

 zle, and no stripling but I must use caution, for 

 he makes towards the bottom, where the weeds are 

 dense. Hollo! knave, astir and shun trickery fight 

 fair, master trout ! 



Swivel. So, to my mind, he doth ; not being on 

 parole, he is free to escape when and how he listeth. 



May. I have him. 



Swivel. You have, Bill! O conquest unparalleled! 

 triumph without equal! never within its ribbed con- 

 fines throbbed, like thine, the big heart of some 

 king-subduer never was so stirred the pride of 

 orator, when he held in the chains of eloquence a 

 thousand listeners all naturally freemen ! Come, 

 be not too large in thine own reckoning ; lower thy- 

 self a grade out of charity, lest I be terror-struck 

 in thy presence, Bill, and lose valour. Howbeit, 

 I am nigh on a level with thee, and hold fast some 

 lively water-cleaver, which mayhap is destined im- 

 mediately to bite the marge. But who is this mak- 

 ing towards us, Bill? 



May. Marry ! I know not. He hath a boorish 

 gait but is armed, one may perceive, with autho- 

 rity. No doubt, he intends to act the mar-sport. 

 What say you, Doctor, shall we resist, or move off 

 quietly at his bidding ? 



