Each of us carried a long hazel rod, and the handle of a 'squailer'
projected from Orion's coat-pocket. For making a 'squailer' a teacup was
the best mould: the cups then in use in the country were rather larger
than those at present in fashion. A ground ash sapling with the bark on,
about as thick as the little finger, pliant and tough, formed the shaft,
which was about fifteen inches long. This was held upright in the middle
of a teacup, while the mould was filled with molten lead. It soon
cooled, and left a heavy conical knob on the end of the stick. If
rightly thrown it was a deadly missile, and would fly almost as true as
a rifle ball. A rabbit or leveret could thus be knocked over; and it was
peculiarly adapted for fetching a squirrel out of a tree, because, being
so heavy at one end, it rarely lodged on the boughs, as an ordinary
stick would, but overbalanced and came down.

From the outlook of the oak some aspen trees could be seen far up in the
withy-beds; and it had been agreed that there the first essay of the
stream should be made. On arriving at these trees we paused, and began
to fix the wires on the hazel rods. The wire for fish must slip very
easily, and the thinner it is, if strong enough, the better, because it
takes a firmer grip. A single wire will do; but two thin ones are
preferable. Thin copper wire is as flexible as thread. Brass wire is not
so good; it is stiffer, and too conspicuous in the water.

At the shank end a stout string is attached in the middle of its length.
Then the wire is placed against the rod, lying flat upon it for about
six inches. The strings are now wound round tightly in opposite
directions, binding it to the stick, so that at the top the ends cross
and are in position to tie in the slight notch cut for the purpose. A
loop that will allow four fingers to enter together is about large