ANGLING REMINISCENCES. 165 



mon-fishings on the lower parts of the waters than 

 by thinning the swarms of spoilers, which at this 

 period hover around the pregnant fish. These, in 

 order to obtain the dainty meal, rake up the gravel 

 in all directions, and scruple not to devour promis- 

 cuously the roe and fry of their own species. I 

 have now hold of a voracious-looking rascal, and 

 shall discover to you the contents of his wallet. Is 

 not this an offender of note? here is no less than 

 an ounce of newly shed spawn, mingled sparingly 

 with flies and water-insects. 



May. He hath paid the penalty. But look you, 

 Tom, how Jack Leister and Swiveltop bring in the 

 bald-pates. If, as you say, the more the merrier, 

 what objection have you to dip a hand into the mine 

 of their good fortune? 



Otter. None in the world, Bill. 



