ANGLING REMINISCENCES. 155 



Swivel. With all my heart, Bill. I wish we 

 could send a truce flag before us, and cause these 

 long-shanked islanders to know of our pacific inten- 

 tions ; however, at the worst, we shall only scare 

 them during a brief interval from their domicile*, 

 and this, methinks, is no great grievance. What, 

 Bill, already on the point of plunging? Have a 

 care of those water-weeds to your right. They 

 are tough and long, and should you strike in 

 amongst them 'twill be no easy matter, I apprehend, 

 to escape perdition. But stay ; let us start together. 

 I would fain back my oars against thine for a hand- 

 ful of groats. Now, push off. 



THE HERON ISLE. 



May. Manifestly, we are intruders, and, to speak 

 truth, Doctor, I am alarmed lest a bold bird or twain 

 from among these screamers should take heart to 

 attack us. We have no weapons of defence, and 

 by these beaks overhead run risk of being stilettoed 

 at a swoop. Good luck ! here is a cudgel, and a 

 strong one. 



Swivel. Folly, Bill ! Art afraid, man, of a few 

 water-fowl ? 



May. Not so, Doctor, but I stand on guard, being 

 ignorant of their natures. Marry! are they not 

 threatening in their attitudes, wrathful in their cries, 

 dangerously armed, and desperately congregated ? 

 . But, what have you there ? 



