48 AMERICAN SUN PERCH. 



dence and industry, without which none can reap the full advantage of 

 life. 



On the top of yon miller's dam stands boldly erect the ardent fisher. 

 Up to the knees, and regardless of the danger of his situation, he prepares 

 his apparatus of destruction. A keen hook attached to his grass-line is 

 now hid within the body of a worm or grasshopper. With a knowing 

 eye he marks one after another every surge of the water below. Observ- 

 ing the top of a rock scarcely covered, he sends his hook towards it with 

 gentleness and certainty ; the bait now floats and anon sinks ; his reel 

 slowly lengthens the line, Avhich is suddenly tightened, and he feels that 

 a fish is secured. Now whirls the reel again, thrice has the fish tried its 

 utmost strength and speed, but, soon panting and exhausted, it is seen 

 floating for a moment on the surface. Nothing now is required but to 

 bring it to hand, which done, the angler baits anew, and sends forth the 

 treacherous morsel. For an hour or more he continues the agreeable oc- 

 cupation, drawing from the stream a fish at every short interval. To the 

 willow-twig fastened to his waist, a hundred " sunnies" are already at- 

 tached. Suddenly the sky is overcast, and the crafty fisher, although 

 aware that, with a different hook and bait, he might soon procure a fine 

 eel or two, carefully wades to the shore, and homeward leisurely plods 

 his way. 



In this manner are the sun-fishes caught by the regular or " scientific"" 

 anglers, and a beautiful sight it is to see the ease and grace with which 

 they allure the objects of their desire, whether in the open turbulence of 

 the waters, or under the low boughs of the overhanging trees, where, in 

 some deep hole, a swarm of the little creatures may be playing in fancied 

 security. Rarely does his tackle become entangled, whilst, with incom- 

 parable dexterity, he draws one after another from the waters. 



Thousands of individuals, however, there are, who, less curious in 

 their mode of fishing, often procure as many sunnies without allowing 

 them to play for a moment. Look at these boys ! One stands on the 

 shore, while the others are on fallen trees that project over the stream. 

 Their rods, as you perceive, are merely shoots of the hazel or hickory, 

 their lines are simply twine, and their hooks none of the finest. One has 

 a calabash filled with worms and grubs of many sorts, kept alive in damp 

 earth, and another is supplied with a bottle containing half a gross of live 

 « hoppers ;" the third has no bait at all, but borrows from his nearest 

 neighbour. Well, there they are, " three merry boys," whirling their 



