156 ANGLING REMINISCENCES. 



Swivel. An unfledged bird, which I am some- 

 what at a loss how to capture, he employs his ros- 

 trum to such good purpose. However, I have got 

 my fingers about his throat, and shall lug him into 

 your presence. 



May. 'Sooth, a strange-looking object! Think 

 you he would prove delicate at the fork's point ? 

 'Tis a prize, Doctor, and must visit the mainland in 

 our company. He will roast trimly, despite of these 

 stilts of his. 



Swivel. Aback! pitiless epicure is this thy hu- 

 mour? Came we here as kidnappers, forsooth? 

 Why tarry these birds that they enact not the 

 harpy upon thee, O destroyer of their progeny, and 

 violator of their cradles? But it must not be, 

 Master May-fly, and this scion of theirs I shall 

 hoist again into his nursery forthwith. 



May. Truly, he merits no such favour. Look at 

 this pile of bone, scale, and refuse. What gluttons 

 he and his kin are ! 'Tis their usage to make a 

 pretty havoc hereabout among the infant fry. 

 They are poachers consummate, and do more to 

 depopulate our salmon rivers than the whole of our 

 fraternity. Let us make an example, and gibbet 

 this bird at the threshold of his sires. 



Swivel. Most monstrous and unchristian ! I cre- 

 dit not my ears, Master May- fly. Is such truly 

 thy proposition ? 



May. Even so. 



Swivel. Thou'rt cool withal singularly cool. 



