DISCIPULA. Yes, yes, immediately to work; I long to try my hand. Here's the boat; I should think it would have got tired waiting so long for us. But it looks very patient. PISCATOR. You may get in, while I loose, and shove off. There appears to be a sharp breeze blowing on the lake without, yet our pond is as unruffled as when we left it. We will return to the same spot we were in before, and cast out our lines. DISCIPULA. Is this my rod? Fix the bait for me skilfully, and I'll catch them. PISCATOR. I cannot promise you great success at first, considering your inexperience---- DISCIPULA. Oh, I'm going to catch an hundred! PISCATOR. I hope you may; certainly--I hope you will; and you can only try. There, your fly is fastened to the hook as well as my art is able. Come, and sit on this side, and I will give you some instructions how to use it. First, see that the line is clear of the rod; then give it one swing round your head; so--and cast it quickly but softly, as far from you as you can on the water. Neatly done! Now draw it slowly along the surface, and you shall presently see a fish rise at it. Be more moderate; you draw it too rapidly. Ha! there it goes under! Wait till you feel him pulling on the line; now give him a little jerk to the right; there you have him, fairly hooked! You must be careful, or you'll lose him yet. No; he's not very heavy, and you may raise him strait out of the water, and land him in the boat; so! DISCIPULA. Ah, my master, will you tell me that I can't catch fish? Poor little fish! Oh, but he's a small one: take him off, master, and put him into the hold. I hunt for nobler game. PISCATOR. Not a good thought, not a good thought for an angler. Hunt for nobler game, if you like; but a fisherwoman must not despise the smallest that comes to her net. Every thing counts. DISCIPULA. Despise? No; oh no! I would like to catch fifty just such; that is, if there are no larger ones to angle for. PISCATOR. Well, your bait is set again. Cast out as before, and I wish you better luck. DISCIPULA. Now I am going to catch a large one--a foot long. But, Mr. Piscator, why do you not use your line?