They found the giant propped up in bed with pillows, his magnificent features looking in their paleness more than ever like a granite Memnon.

Before him lay an open Pilgrim's Progress, and a drawer filled with feathers and furs, which he was busily manufacturing into trout flies, reading as he worked.

The room was filled with nets, guns, and keepers' tackle, while a well- filled shelf of books hung by the wall.
'Excuse my rising, gentlemen,' he said, in his slow, staid voice, 'but I am very weak, in spite of the Lord's goodness to me.

You are very kind to think of coming to my poor cottage,' 'Well, my man,' said the colonel, 'and how are you after your cold bath?
You are the heaviest fish I ever landed!' 'Pretty well, thank God, and you, sir.

I am in your debt, sir, for the dear life.