EPISODES 517 



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 float- 

 ing for a moment on the surface. Nothing now is re- 

 quired 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 occupation, 

 drawing from the stream a fish at every short interval. 

 To the willow twig fastened to his waist a hundred " Sun- 

 nies " are already attached. Suddenly the sky is over- 

 cast, 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 Sunfishes 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 incomparable 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 neighbor. Well, there they 

 are, "three merry boys," whirling their rods in the air to 



