154 DAYS STOLEN FOR SPORT 



for weeks to come.' This gave just occasion for 

 congratulating myself that I had not made it an 

 absolute condition that Phil should accompany me, as 

 it left an opening to discuss the expediency of my 

 being at the fishing so as to secure for him the first 

 vacancy that might occur. 



The glad tidings have come. The river is in ply 

 and there are fish in every pool. It is no mere state- 

 ment from a casual source that the fish are up; a trusty 

 man has said it; so the fisher's thoughts are of Euston, 

 the north, and the drive from Aberfeldy, which will 

 give a peep of the Rocky and Drumharry pools, both 

 brimful of watery promise. It is best not to laugh at 

 'watery promise' as it is on the fulfilment of it that your 

 joys must come; water in good volume is the first 

 essential, fish in due season are sure to come; so 

 pray rather for water than for fish. Yet it may be well 

 to caution you that so far as I have gathered it is 

 best to take the weather as it comes and not interfere. 

 *I ain't going to pray for rain no more' was told me 

 by a professional — a professional fisherman — 'for 

 if you do happen to prevail on 'em to start, no prayers 

 ain't going to stop 'em, and yer gets floods and floods.' 

 Still I've sometimes wished I had that man with me in 

 Scotland. 



I have a mind to test my fines again; it won't take 

 long, and the extra confidence it will give when the 

 stretching strain of a rushing fish comes to it will 

 pay for all the trouble. It is just this confidence that 

 nerves the arm to master the first Spring fish; and 

 it is so unlucky to lose that fish, and so disconcerting, 

 too. 



Why the desire to be so secret in this last unpacking 

 of the packed tackle? My sanctum is in no way 

 sacred to a youth who twiddles new-found down. 

 He does not knock, but comes in unexpectedly with 

 a rush and an 'I say, dad.' He does so now, whistles 

 . and withdraws. 



