242 SALMON FISHING IN THE TWEED 



mined to have another trial. Well, he pushed 

 here, and he pushed there, and with these strenuous 

 efforts succeeded in describing pretty accurately in 

 his course what ill Gothic architecture is called the 

 zigzag moulding, losing way, however, at every angle. 



Not having taken any notice of the objects on 

 the banks, he did not precisely know whereabouts 

 he was ; but his exertions, simply as exertions, were 

 highly laudable. When he had permitted the boat 

 to fall down into easy water, he had some little 

 command over her, and of this he was right proud. 

 As time was precious, I resumed the command, and 

 put the boat up again with my leister. When we 

 came up to the fisherman, my novice said, with con- 

 siderable exultation, "Charlie, did you see me cant?" 



" Hout tout, mon, you canna cant ava ; she was 

 aye ganging doon," was the uncourteous response. 



Having described our method of managing the 

 boat, 1 will endeavour to explain the manner in 

 which we strike the salmon. The leister should 

 not be held firm in the grasp, but sent loosely 

 through the hands, as its own weight in falling 

 will be more effective than any force you can give 

 it with a thrust. 1 You may think otherwise, per- 

 haps. Well, then, take your own way ; hold the 

 weapon firmly and determinedly ; you are going to 



1 The Droit lately contained the following : — " At the moment that 

 an omnibus was passing on Friday through the Rue Montmartre, 

 under a house, No. 63, that was undergoing repairs, a pole more 

 than thirty feet in length slipped from the scaffolding at the 

 fourth storey, and fell perpendicularly on the omnibus, passed right 

 through the body, and entered so deeply between the stones of the 

 pavement that the horses were stopped on the moment, the vehicle 

 being literally nailed to the ground ; by a providential chance none of 

 the passengers were injured ! ! !" 



