A COLD CRITIC 97 



" Then you think there is not much chance for 

 any one, and least of all for a stranger like myself." 



" I dinna think the like o' ye can do muckle ; 

 though I will no say but ye may light on a wee 

 bit trout, or may be on a happening fish. That's a 

 bonny little wand you've got ; and she shimmers 

 so with varnish, that I'm thinking that when she is 

 in the eye o' the sun the fish will come aneath her, 

 as they do to the blaze in the water." 



Sandy was evidently lampooning my Higgin- 

 botham. I therefore replied, that she certainly 

 had more shining qualities than were often met 

 with on the northern side of the Tweed. At this 

 personality, my pleasant friend took out a large 

 mull from his pocket, and, applying a copious 

 quantity of its contents to his nose, very politely 

 responded — 



" Ye needna fash yoursel' to observe aboot the 

 like o' her ; she is no worth this pinch o' snuff." 



He then very courteously handed his mull to me. 



" Well," said I, still modestly, " she will do well 

 enough for a bungler like me." I was trolling for 

 a compliment. 



" Ay, that will she," said he. 



Though a little mortified, I was not sorry to get 

 him to this point ; for I knew I could overwhelm 

 him with facts, and the more diffidently I conducted 

 myself the more complete would be my triumph. 

 So laying down my pet rod on the channel, I very 

 deliberately took out my two-pounder, as a feeler. 

 He looked particularly well ; for I had tied up his 

 mouth, that he might keep his shape, and moistened 

 him, as I before said, with soaked fern to preserve 



H 



