158 ANGLING REMINISCENCES. 



Enter KEEPERS. 



1st Keeper. So ho ! masters, still as I left you? 



Swivel. Nay, friend ; my rod is idle, as half an 

 eye might discern. This is a fair piece of water. 



1st Keeper. And I warrant me, you have raked 

 it foully. But you must e'en deliver these rods 

 and fish into our keeping, and trudge off. 



Sivivel. Hear you, Bill, what the knave hath 

 need of! I presume, friend, you hold special autho- 

 rity for this demand. Well! should we decline 

 compliance, how mean you to act? What! is't 

 thus ? Aback and discover your warrant, else shall 

 we reckon with you as common foot-pads. I pray 

 you, hands off! is it your design to assault and 

 rob us? 'Sooth, ye should have studied your men 

 more accurately but take a care. 



2d Keeper. D you, sir, yield up this rod ! 



2d KEEPER attempts to seize the fishing-rod from 

 SWIVELTOP, who knocks him down. 



Swivel. Art satisfied, friend? By heavens! ras- 

 cal, lower that barrel of thine. 

 1st Keeper. Surrender by G ! 



Presenting his gun, which MAY-FLY, rushing up to 

 him, forces out of his hand, and flings into the 

 loch. 



May. Eh ? villain, wouldest play the miscreant ? 

 March thou after that birding-piece of thine, 



