1. And while his nose was thus immersed
  2. Six inches in the stream,
  3. A very hungry pickerel was
  4. Attracted by its gleam;
  5. And darting up, he gave a snap,
  6. And Keyser gave a scream.

  1. Tim Keyser then was well assured
  2. He had a splendid bite.
  3. To pull his victim up he jerked
  4. And tugged with all his might;
  5. But that disgusting pickerel had
  6. The better of the fight.
  1. And just as Mr. Keyser thought
  2. His nose was cut in two,
  3. The pickerel gave its tail a twist
  4. And pulled Tim Keyser through,
  5. And he was scudding through the waves
  6. The first thing that he knew.

  1. Then onward swam that savage fish
  2. With swiftness toward its nest,
  3. Still chewing Mr. Keyser's nose;
  4. While Mr. Keyser guessed
  5. What sort of policy would suit
  6. His circumstances best.