TOUR TO NORTH-WEST HIGHLANDS. 127 



finding themselves hooked, naturally retired, and, en- 

 tangling the cordlines by which they were held among 

 a series of lengthy roots and inextricable cables, gave 

 to our anglers no other choice than that of parting 

 company with them, which, as this act of submis- 

 sion was more than twice repeated, had the effect of 

 calling forth many sore expressions of temporary 

 regret. 



We have no intention, however, of following out 

 the movements of our piscatorial adventurers further 

 than is detailed in course of the annexed conversations, 

 which, linked though they be with little incident, may 

 nevertheless prove worthy of a hasty perusal. 



GLEN ETIVE. 



Enter MAY-FLY and SWIVELTOP. 



May. Stretch thy wits, good Doctor, a hair's length. 

 I am sorely nonplussed, and confoundedly knocked 

 up. Oh ! this weary trudging o'er moss and moor, 

 through strong chasms and torrent beds this wrest- 

 ling with hunger, rain, wind, and darkness it takes 

 the romance out of one for ever ! Where, in the 

 name of wonder, is this track they talked of, and 

 the precious domicile yclept an inn ? eight miles 



