282 FOREIGN ANGLING LITERATURE 



Next we tried ground bait, and sent our vermicular 

 hook down to their very sides. With judicious - gravity 

 they parted, and slowly sailed toward the root of an old 

 tree on the side of the pool. Again changing place, we 

 will make an ambassador of a grasshopper. Laying down 

 our rod, we prepare to catch the grasshopper ; that is in 

 itself no slight feat. The first step you take at least forty 

 bolt out, and tumble headlong into the grass ; some cling- 

 to the stems, some are creeping under the leaves, and not 

 one seems to be in reach. You step again; another flight 

 takes place, and you eye them with a fierce penetration, 

 as if you could catch some one with your eye. You can- 

 not though. You brush the grass with your foot again. 

 Another hundred snap out, and tumble about in every 

 direction. At length you see a very nice young fellow 

 climbing a steeple stem. You take good aim and grab 

 at him. You catch the spire, but he has jumped a safe 

 rod. Yonder is another, creeping among some delicate 

 ferns. With broad palm you clutch him and all the 

 neighbouring herbage too. Stealthily opening your little 

 finger, you see his leg ; the next finger reveals more of 

 him ; and opening the next you are just beginning to take 

 him out with the other hand, when out he bounds and 

 leaves you to renew your entomological pursuits. Twice 

 you snatch handfulls of grass, and cautiously open your 

 palm to find that you have only grass. It is quite vexatious. 

 There are thousands of them here and there, climbing and 

 wriggling on that blade, leaping off from that stalk, 



