At times when fish were biting best. Some stumbled in above their boots, And others spoiled their finest suits; But fun went on; for many there Had hooks that seemed a charm to bear, And fish of various scale and fin On every side were gathered in. [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration] The catfish left his bed below, With croaks and protests from the go; And nerve as well as time it took From such a maw to win the hook. With horns that pointed every way, And life that seemed to stick and stay, Like antlered stag that stands at bay, He lay and eyed the Brownie band, And threatened every reaching hand. The gamy bass, when playing fine, Oft tried the strength of hook and line, And strove an hour before his mind To changing quarters was resigned. Some eels proved more than even match For those who made the wondrous catch, And, like a fortune won with ease, They slipped through fingers by degrees, And bade good-bye to margin sands, In spite of half a dozen hands. The hungry, wakeful birds of air Soon gathered 'round to claim their share, And did for days themselves regale On fish of every stripe and scale. Thus sport went on with laugh and shout, As hooks went in and fish came out, While more escaped with wounded gill, And yards of line they're trailing still; But day at length began to break, And forced the Brownies from the lake. [Illustration] [Illustration] THE BROWNIES AT NIAGARA FALLS. [Illustration] The Brownies' Band, while passing through The country with some scheme in view, Paused in their race, and well they might, When broad Niagara came in sight. Said one: "Give ear to what I say, I've been a traveler in my day; I've waded through Canadian mud To Montmorenci's tumbling flood. But ah! Niagara is the fall That truly overtops them all-- The children prattle of its tide, And age repeats its name with pride The school-boy draws it on his slate, The preacher owns its moral weight; The tourist views it dumb with awe, The Indian paints it for his squaw, And tells how many a warrior true Went o'er it in his bark canoe, And never after friend or foe Got sight of man or boat below." Another said: "The Brownie Band Upon the trembling brink may stand, Where kings and queens have sighed to be, But dare not risk themselves at sea." [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration]