GRAY BRIG 131 



stream in the course of a season why 

 they invariably halt on that green sward, 

 where the wild thyme's clusters are the 

 finest and the sweetest, and a ready ex- 

 planation they will not be able to offer. 

 To all of them the Auld Gray Brig " 

 (for so it is called by those who know it) 

 is the hostel of the waterside. In driv- 

 ing rain or scorching sun it has extended 

 a kindly welcome to generations of fish- 

 ermen, and in its grateful shade many a 

 good day's sport has been recalled, many 

 a day of ill-luck compensated by some 

 memories that the place brings to mind. 

 One might imagine that all the person- 

 alities who have long ago passed away 

 from the moorland stream for ever re- 

 turn in spirit to the old haunts, and here, 

 by the bridge, forgather and invite the 

 passer-by to join their club of convivi- 

 ality. For mark the angler who ap- 

 proaches the " Auld Gray Brig" for the 

 first time. He does not inquiringly scan 



