from the trees. "No," said the
female element. "We don't care. We shouldn't catch any fish. We'd
just as soon stroll about." I bubbled up, if I didn't boil over. "WE
shouldn't, should WE? Pray, speak for yourselves! Didn't I catch
eight cod-fishes in the Atlantic Ocean, last summer? Answer me that!"
I was indignant that they should so easily be turned away, by the
trivial circumstance of there being no rods, from the noble art of
fishing. My spirits rose to the height of the emergency. The story of
my exploits makes an impression. There is a marked respect in the tone
of their reply. "Let there be no division among us. Go you to the
stream, O Nimrod of the waters, since you alone have the prestige of
success. We will wander quietly in the woods, build a fire, fry the
potatoes, and await your return with the fish." They go to the woods.
I hang my prospective trout on my retrospective cod, and march
river-ward. Halicarnassus, according to the old saw, "leaves this
world, and climbs a tree," and, with jackknife, cord, and perseverance,
manufactures a fishing-rod, which he courteously offers to me, which I
succinctly decline, informing him in no ambiguous phrase that I
consider nothing beneath the best as good enough for me. Halicarnassus
is convinced by my logic, overpowered by my rhetoric, and meekly yields
up the best rod, though the natural man rebels. The bank of the river
is rocky, steep, shrubby, and difficult of ascent or descent.
Halicarnassus bids me tarry on the bridge, while he descends to
reconnoitre. I am acquiescent, and lean over the railing awaiting the
result of investigation. Halicarnassus picks his way over the rocks,
sidewise and zigzaggy along the bank, and down the river, in search of
fish. I grow tired of playing Casabianca, and steal behind the bridge,
and pick my way over the rocks, sidewise and zigzaggy along the bank,
and up the river, in search of "fun"; practise irregular and
indescribable gymnastics with variable success for half an hour or so.
Shout from the bridge. I look up. Too far off to hear the words, but
see Halicarnassus gesticulating furiously, and evidently laboring under
great excitement. Retrograde as rapidly as circumstances will permit.
Halicarnassus makes a speaking-trumpet of his hands, and roars, "I've
FOUND--a FISH! LEFT--him for--YOU--to CATCH! Come QUICK!"--and,
plunging headlong down the bank, disappears. I am touched to the heart
by this sublime