LOCH LEVEN AND LOCH TAY 153 



bulges out his coat - pocket. Probably he has 

 engaged a bed by letter, or telegraph ; but, if not, 

 he hastens to the hotel to supply the omission. 

 With the comfortable sense of shelter, he goes 

 out to have a look at the scene of action, and 

 to see about a boat. His eagerness may suffer a 

 check, and his patience be put to the test. Scarce 

 a summer day passes without the incursions of a 

 club or clubs, who may, weeks before, have secured 

 every plank for their annual competition. 



When at length his turn comes, he drops a 

 minnow over the stern, or maybe his boatman does 

 it for him ; in hope of a big one, while on the way 

 across. Nor is he disappointed. The chirp of the 

 wheel catches a practised ear; the oars cease to 

 play ; and the net is got ready for action. In his 

 awkwardness, he lets him run under the keel. The 

 tackle holds, and first blood, "two pounds if an 

 ounce," is drawn; or it may be even a heavier 

 weight ; in which case the duller drag on the line 

 announces a pike. 



They near the shallows, where the experience 

 of the boatmen tells them that the trout are lying. 



The very first cast brings a rise, which takes the 

 fisher unaware, and comes to nothing. " Canny 

 neist time." and that next time is not long in 



