THE DEVIL'S PUNCHBOWL. 



magic. At first the men, seeing gentlefolk 

 approach, regarded us with disfavour, as 

 their natural enemies, no doubt in league 

 with the preserving landlord ; but as 

 soon as they discovered we were "the 

 right sort," in full sympathy with the 

 fine old poaching proclivities of the up- 

 land population, they returned forthwith to 

 their tickling with a zest, and landed a 

 couple of trout, not to mention a crayfish, 

 before the very eyes of the delighted school- 

 boys. 



Tickling trout is an ancient and honour- 

 able form of sport, which admits of much 

 skill and address in the tickler. The fish 

 lurk quietly under overhanging banks, where 

 an undermined green sod impends the tiny 

 stream ; and the operator passes his hand 

 gently over their sides once or twice till he 

 has established confidence ; then, taking 

 advantage of the friendship thus formed, he 

 suddenly closes his hand and whips the 

 astonished victim unawares out of the water. 

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