VI 

 A FEBRUARY PIKE 



So terrible was he, said one, that when he 

 left his lair the river retreated before him, 

 fleeing impetuously over its banks and taking 

 refuge in the water-meadows ; so ravenous 

 was he, said another, that moor-hens and 

 ducks shunned the spot, herons dared venture 

 no nearer than half a mile, and even an otter 

 had been seen in the grey of dawn hastening 

 away with every sign of consternation in its 

 countenance. The great pike of the previous 

 year, said a third with conspicuous candour, 

 weighed the better part of nineteen pounds; 

 but even that creditable magnitude had not 

 secured for it untroubled repose, for the un- 

 happy fish had lived in a state of constant 

 panic, ever dreading the time when it should 

 be its turn to be devoured. 



Only death indeed, intimated the candid 

 9 6 



