THE 'DEVIL-ON-THREE-STICKS.' 11 



peering through a telescope on three legs, as if he was 

 watching for the total eclipse of a small boy that is to 

 be seen gradually sinking about fifty yards off, and 

 clutching in his agony a tall staff by his side, figured 

 as if for high and low water-mark. 



Presently the Boots and the Telescope, after various 

 ineffectual efforts and hearings, succeed in striking their 

 quarters ; the boy, after sundry spasmodic struggles, to 

 correspond, achieves the same exploit ; and the same 

 scene as before occurs again some fifty yards further 

 on, and again, and again, at the same intervals, until 

 they reach the other end of the meadow, and come 

 plump upon the banks of a marshy Pool some six 

 acres in extent. On attaining this point, the telescope 

 is suddenly shut up with a triumphant snap ; its three 

 legs jump into one; the dripping shivering boy re- 

 ceives a tremendous involuntary thwack on the back, 

 and A FALL OF NINE FEET is declared, like a ' Divi- 

 dend of ten per cent, and a Balance over to go on 

 with!' 



Oh you primeval Carp, Pike, and Eels ! you little 

 thought on that day how deadly a fishing-rod, marked 

 and measured inch by inch, threw its shadow across 

 your ancient domain ; little did your believed security 

 dream of so new a monster, the angler upon three legs, 



