HIGGINBOTHAM BROKE. 105 



in various directions. To crown all, Walter kept me in 

 a perspiration by making, as if he would throw for 

 the fish, which, by anticipation, I considered as my pro- 

 perty. At length I collected my senses, and my flies also ; 

 and it is a wonder that I did so, as the said fish conti- 

 nued his gambols, and repeatedly claimed my attention. 



Now then for it. The cast being narrow at the 

 throat, I began with a short line, which I kept length- 

 ening as it got wider; for so it became me. I came 

 now, step by step, to the spot where I expected to do 

 for the fish. Excited as I was, I flung with spirit ; 

 but the fly alighted not upon the wave ; far from it ; 

 it attached itself most perfectly to a birch-tree in my 

 rear, and crack went my top-varnished Higginbotham. 

 Thus I was at once discomfited almost in the arms of 

 victory. Being totally driven from my propriety, I 

 cannot be answerable for what I said or did : something 

 very sublime it was, no doubt; but let that pass. Cer- 

 tain it was that each particular hair of my head stood an 

 end with horror. As I had spare tops to my rod, I soon 

 set all to rights again. But throw, and throw as I would, 

 the salmon woidd not " come and be kUled ; " so I gave 

 up the unreasonable brute at last as unattainable. Nor 

 could the Scotchman make any hand of him afterwards. 

 In fishermen's language, / had set him dow?i. 



The tail of the cast now grew broader, and it was 

 necessary to wade ; so in I went, " accoutred as I was ; " 

 that is to say, in light, flimsy walking shoes, without 

 nails. I soon perceived that the wet stones were slip- 

 pery and treacherous beyond endurance, and that my 

 shoes had no adhesive qualities. My untutored feet took 



