THE SOUTH BAT. 167 



sharp innuendo added spice if not acerbity to the 

 argument, and before their destination was reached 

 a feeling of coldness, approaching dissatisfaction, 

 had sprung up between the two friends. 



There were no blue-fish running, and it was deter- 

 mined to try the striped bass that, although sinall, 

 had begun to be plentiful, and in case of their 

 absence to tempt the flounders, sea bass, black fish, 

 or other like plebeians. In silence they pulled off" to 

 the fishing ground, and silently they cast overboard 

 the anchor-stone and baited their hooks. Fishing 

 has a calm, soothing influence incompatible with 

 anger or estrangement. Occasional remarks were 

 made which would doubtless have soon led to a per- 

 fect reconciliation had not the Fates prominently in- 

 terfered. Mr. Hartley, who rowed the boat, had 

 stationed himself in the bow, and strange to say 

 began to take fish as fast as he could land them, 

 while Mr. Goodlow, in the stern, usually the favorite 

 location, caught nothing. 



Fishing is a contemplative amusement, but when 

 one contemplates his associate catching all the fish 

 the amusement vanishes. Deacon Goodlow was a 

 devotee of the gentle art, fancied himself an expert, 

 and never doubted his far excelling his less expe- 

 rienced brother; had great faith in skill as opposed 

 to luck, having often expatiated upon the fact that 

 he rarely found an equal, and felt fully convinced 

 that in skill he was not excelled. 



Now skill is a very necessary thing and will tell 

 in the long run, but luck is sometimes, doubtless for 



