OVER THE BORDER 55 



Quiet, broken by or rather enhanced by 

 the call of the curlew, is in that vale, through 

 which runs the clean, wholesome water of the 

 Ettrick, bordered by its high hills. To those 

 who value seclusion when fishing, as many do, 

 this valley must appeal strongly. They need 

 entertain little apprehension of being " ghosted," 

 as one writer calls it.* Only once, when at a far 

 end, was I interrupted. I was wading in the river 

 at a point where a hedgeless track ran alongside. 

 Suddenly a greeting came : " Good morning, sir ; 

 hope you are having good luck ! " The voice 

 came from a man of the road, a pedlar, evidently, 

 for he had upon his shoulders a pack full of wares. 

 He was bright-eyed, looking hale and hearty. It 

 was a quiet interval, and I was not displeased for 

 communication with the outer world thus to be 

 restored. Instinctively perceiving this and scenting 

 business he said persuasively, " I saw you fishing 

 down below, yesterday, sir, but I did not like to 

 speak to you." He was now willing to make up 

 for lost time. Asked whence he came, he replied : 

 "Owd'um." Invited to enumerate his wares, a 

 quick look of pleasure appeared on his face. He 

 was now doing Business. Soft-collar fasteners 

 promised usefulness. "The price of these collar 

 fasteners is threepence each," said the merchant, 

 adding confidentially : " And you would have to 

 pay sixpence each for them in many places." Two 

 collar fasteners, at threepence each, were purchased, 



* Major G. E, Sharp in "Fly Leaves from n Fisherman's 

 Diary." 



