[Illustration: EGOMANIA.--(Scene--_The Bar Parlour of the "Little Peddlington Arms" during a shower._) _Little Peddlingtonian_ (_handing newspaper to stranger from London_). "Have you seen that account of our fishing competition in the _Little Peddlington Gazette_, sir?" "No, I'm afraid I've not!" "It's a _very_ interesting article, sir. It mentions my name several times!"] * * * * * [Illustration: BOTTOM FISHING.--_Piscator No. 1_ (_miserably_). "Now, Tom, _do_ leave off. It isn't of any use, and it's getting quite dark." _Piscator No. 2._ "Leave off!! What a precious disagreeable chap you are! You come out for a day's pleasure, and you're already wanting to go home!"] * * * * * [Illustration: TRIALS OF A NOVICE.--_Unfeeling Passer-by._ "Say, mister! Are you fly-fishing, or 'eaving the lead?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Piscator, Senior._ "What! yer want to chuck it up jus because we never catches nothing. Why, I'd like to know how yer proposes to spend the remainder of yer 'olidays, eh?"] * * * * * [Illustration: A BROAD HINT _Piscator._ "Yes, I like a day at this time of year. Get all the _water to myself_, you see." _Yokel._ "Ah! And mayhap have a sup o' the whisky to spare for somebody else, governor?"] * * * * * [Illustration: _Tom_ (_writing_).--"I say, Bob, I'm rubbing in the local colour for the benefit of the folk at home--could you help me to some correct _fishing_ expressions--just to give the thing an atmosphere?" _Bob._ "I've heard a lot one time and another, old man, but the only one I remember is--_'Pass the flask'!_"] * * * * * [Illustration: "MIGHT BE WORSE!"--_First Jolly Angler_ (_peckish after their walk_). "Got the sandwiches and----" _Second Jolly Angler_ (_diving into creel_). "Oh, yes, here they are, all right, and here's the whisk--but--tut-t-t, by Jove!--I've forgotten the fishing-tackle!!" _First Jolly Angler._ "Oh, ne' mind--we'll get along quite well without _that_!"] * * * * * REBUS IN ARDUIS Tell me, stranger, ere I perish, Of the fish men call the trout, Ere I lose the hopes I cherish, Summer in and summer out, Hopes of hooking one and landing Him before the day is done, Waist deep in the water standing, From the dawn to set of sun. Tell me, is his belly yellow? _Is_ he spotted red and black? _Does_ he look a splendid fellow When you turn him on his back? Is there any fly can rise him, Any hook can hold him tight? Is one able to surprise him Any time from morn to night?