274 AN ANGLER AT LARGE 



scoundrelly tackle-merchants, there can be but one 

 or two natural kinds of insects on the river's sur- 

 face. Thus, scholar, it is in the neighbourhood of 

 four thousand to one that when the fly comes (and 

 it is a plaguy long time a-coming) you must take 

 off this lure and put up another. 



VEN : Well, sir, I have a goodly store. See 

 how many sorts are in this pretty box of mine, 

 each in its separate compartment. Is there not a 

 brave show here ? 



Pise : A brave show, I warrant you. Oh, my 

 poor scholar! How many hath the villain sold you? 

 One, two twelve ! Trust me, scholar, no honest 

 fisherman needs more than three. 



VEN: Then have I been tricked most vilely. 

 Tell me, sir, what are these three patterns of which 

 you speak ? 



Pise : The olive quill, light and dark, and the 

 Piscator's Fancy, so called because your unworthy 

 master devised it. See, it is a little similar to the 

 Wickham, but with this essential difference : the 

 silk is turned around the hook to the right instead 

 of to the left. With these three flies I will catch 

 trouts at any time, I'll hold you two to one, nor 

 will I ask for any other pattern. 



VEN : See, master, there is a great trout. 



Pise: Where? Where? 



