38 ANGLING 



like a thousand of bricks. So much for Mr. Mountain's 

 big carp. The species was alluded to in the I5th 

 century as a "dayntous fysshe, but scarce." 



Mr. Hopper must now hark back a year with his Notes. 

 Shortly after Midsummer-day last year he ' observed an 

 advertisement in the columns of a local paper, which had a very 

 taking appearance. The gist of it was that anglers could have 

 a good day's fishing, at the distance of one mile only from North 

 Thoresby, at a moderate charge. On inquiry the latter turned 

 out to be a matter of 2s. per rod, but if the fishing really should 

 be good no real angler would object to the price. It was quite 

 clear that little boys would be conspicuous by their absence 

 from the pond side, for was not the advertisement headed " To 

 Lovers of the Rod," and might not any small urchin with 

 sensitive feelings and a somewhat suspicious mind surmise that 

 Mr. Butt made an ironical allusion to another kind of rod! 

 However, this new fishing resort must be duly communicated to 

 Twynkles, which without delay was done. That old war-horse 

 immediately took a pinch of snuff, snorted loudly, and declared 

 war to the kni beg pardon, hook against the finny tribe on 

 the following Saturday. Mr. Hopper also snorted, and vowed 

 he would put on his angling war paint in connection with the 

 projected expedition. Before Saturday Twynkles had bought 

 up all the rice in Grimsby town, and on that eventful morning 

 appeared at the Town station with a goodly supply of the 

 condiment boiled down to a nicety. Needless to relate, Mr. 

 Hopper was also on the platform, and by half-past six he and 

 Twynkles found themselves by the pond side, and selected the 

 most likely corner for commencing operations. Having well 

 ground-baited with some of the aforesaid rice, the rods were 

 soon put together and the lines in the water, and for two hours 

 or so nothing but roach, with an occasional eel and perch, were 

 brought to bank. Old Mr. Oaktree, who lives in the farm 

 cottage, and is Mr. Butt's caretaker and representative at the 

 pond, presently put in an appearance, and demanded our 

 angling tickets, which were duly handed over. Twynkles 

 suggested that probably a little more rice might have the effect 



