THE SPORTSMAN IN FRANCE. 279 



His line, mirabile dictu, was of whip-cord, 

 which had undergone a six months' im- 

 mersion in linseed oil. Its original fabric 

 was, by this operation, in nowise dis- 

 cernible ; it wore the appearance of a 

 supple weed, perfectly round and smooth, 

 and, when cast by the major's masterly 

 hand, fell as light as a single gut on the 

 water. 



His foot-length was proportionally 

 strong at the junction with the line, being 

 composed of three of the stoutest pieces 

 of round clear gut, twisted by himself with 

 his own wheel or ''jenny." The whole 

 foot-length was made of treble gut, but 

 tapering down to the hook, which was 

 accomplished by selecting lengths, di- 

 mishing in texture at each knot. 



In fishing in Canada there is one pre- 

 caution necessary, and which I had not 

 dreamt of, and that is to guard against 

 the merciless and blood-thirsty attacks of 



