WITH GOLDEN LOCKS. 291

a large gilded carp, which stirred a little, and that was
all it could do, for having attempted to catch some little flies,
it had leaped so far out of the water, as to throw itsclf upon the
grass, where it was almost dead, not being able to recover
its natural clement. Avenant took pity on the poor creature,

 

and though it was a fish-day, and he might have carried it away
for his dinner, he took it up, and gently put it again into the
river, where the carp, feeling the refreshing coolness of the
water, began to rejoice, and sunk to the bottom; but soon
rising up again, brisk and gay, to the side of the river: “ Ave-
nant,” said the carp, “I thank you for the kindness you have
done me; had it not been for you, I had died ; but you have
saved my life, and I will reward you.” After this short com-
pliment, the carp darted itself to the bottom of the water,
Ieaving Avenant not a little surprised at its wit and great
civility.
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