Fishing in North Carolina. 165 



into the boat quickly, as otherwise it will sink, 

 or recover and escape. 



In the day time they may be shot with a small 

 bore rifle, while sitting and philosophising in 

 cool, shady, dark places along the banks ; or else 

 killed with frog-spears, made for the purpose. 



I once caught a large one while fishing from 

 the bank for bass. Having exhausted my min- 

 now supply, without success, and it being nearly 

 dark, I decided to try a lob of angle worms. I 

 put several on the hook so that heads and tails 

 could play well; but, getting no strike, lifted 

 my hook to quit fishing, and when the bait 

 reached the top of the water something wanted 

 it bad. For several minutes I had the liveliest 

 sort of a time, and when I landed my fish it was 

 a gTeat big bull-frog. 



I am not so well acquainted with toad-frogs, 

 although I have owned hundreds of them. They 

 are also interesting and charming creatures, 

 although their personal appearance is not invit- 

 ing. 



Everybody knows that they sing ; it is only a 

 croak when one is alone, like all other bachelors ; 



