124 FISHING IN THE OHIO. 



and even crocodiles, which we call alligators ; but there is enough of food 

 for them all, and we generally suffer them to creep about, to leap or to 

 flounder as they please, or in accordance with the habits which have been 

 given them by the great Conductor of all. 



During the month of May, and indeed until autumn, we found an 

 abundant supply of toads. Many " fine ladies," no doubt, would have 

 swooned, or at least screamed and gone into hysterics, had they seen one 

 of our baskets filled with these animals, all alive and plump. Fortunately 

 we had no tragedy queen or sentimental spinster at Henderson. Our 

 Kentucky ladies iTiind their own affairs, and seldom meddle with those of 

 others farther than to do all they can for their comfort. The toads, col- 

 lected one by one, and brought home in baskets, were deposited in a 

 barrel for use. And now that night is over, and as it is the first trial we 

 are going to give our trot-line, just watch our movements from that high 

 bank beside the stream. There sit down under the large cotton-wood 

 tree. You are in no danger of catching cold at this season. 



My assistant follows me with a gaff hook, while I carry the paddle of 

 our canoe ; a boy bears on his back a hundred toads as good as ever 

 hopped. Ovir line — oh, I forgot to inform you that we had set it last 

 night, but without the small ones you now see on' my arm. Fastening 

 one end to yon sycamore, we paddled our canoe, with the rest nicely 

 coiled in the stern, and soon reached its extremity, when I threw over the 

 side the heavy stone fastened to it as a sinker. All this was done that it 

 might be thoroughly soaked, and without kinks or snarls in the morning. 

 Now, you observe, we launch our light bark, the toads in the basket are 

 placed next to my feet in the bow ; I have the small lines across my knees 

 all ready looped at the end. Nat, with the paddle, and assisted by 

 the current, keeps the stern of our boat directly down stream ; and David 

 fixes, by the skin of the back and hind parts, the living bait to the hook. 

 I hold the main line all the while, and now, having fixed one linelet to it, 

 over goes the latter. Can you see the poor toad kicking and flouncing 

 in the water ? " No" — well, I do. You observe at length that all the 

 lines, one after another, have been fixed, baited, and dropped. We now 

 return swiftly to the shore. 



" What a delightful thing is fishing !" have I more than once heard 

 some knowing angler exclaim, who, with " the patience of Job," stands 

 or slowly moves along some rivulet twenty feet wide, and three or 

 four feet deep, with a sham fly to allure a trout, which, when at length 



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