ANGLING REMINISCENCES. 15? 



Can'st take a scalp, Bill, or sever a windpipe, or 

 brew broth of vipers ? Art up to all the sleights 

 and trickeries ? Stars ! I have a perilous neigh- 

 bourhood, and walk on thorns. Where gettest thou 

 thy lack of clemency, Bill ? Is't framed or natural ? 

 purchased or gifted? Hath it limits? or is it in 

 extension infinite ? But come at length off thine 

 eyebrows is the grim resolve ; thou art driven to 

 be compunctious. 



May. Not a whit ; to appease thee, however, I 

 am content to forego the committal of an act so 

 thoroughly barbarous as the neck-screwing of a 

 young heron. Now may we recross, an it pleases 

 you. 



Swivel. With much goodwill. 



Side of the Heron Loch. 



Swivel. Array thee in haste, Bill ; I espy yonder 

 our morning friend the keeper bearing down upon 

 us, in company with two other mongrels of like 

 stamp or calling. 



May. E'en let them pass 



Swivel. If so they list, but such is not their 

 design. Mark you how the rascals will make law 

 for us without warrant or commission. Their whole 

 aim is to usurp our angling-rods, but they may save 

 their cunning, else have I, Nathan Swiveltop, lost 

 stance for my wits. 



