50 LINES IN PLEASANT PLACES 



whitened post mark 2$ ft. above orthodox level. Two 

 days ago the 3 ft. point had been reached ; then Tweed 

 sank to 2 ft. ; now " she " is up again 6 in. 



One does not care how high a river may rise, pro- 

 vided it gets over the business once for all, and recedes 

 steadily, to have done with change for a reasonable 

 time. The worst phase of all is that which is repre- 

 sented by intermittent ups and downs on a small scale ; 

 for the fish follow the example of the river most re- 

 ligiously in one respect when it is unsettled they are 

 unsettled too. Such experience as this, morning after 

 morning, for many days, may be handsome exercise 

 in the finishing-off touches of your lessons in patience, 

 and are probably entertaining enough to your friends 

 who are not anglers. There is no amusement for you ; 

 only resignation. Make up your mind to that, my 

 brother. 



There must have been a quantity of downpour away 

 to the west up amongst the hills ; the skies are leaden 

 with rain clouds even now ; the air is saturated with 

 moisture. Up beyond the picturesque little island at 

 the junction of the two rivers the water thunders over 

 the rocky ledge which forms the dub at the bottom of 

 Floors Castle lower water, and if you observe closely 

 you will soon conclude that Teviot is bringing down 

 an undue amount of Scottish soil. Cross the bridge 

 and look over to the heavy pool under the wooded 

 slope, and note, where the light strikes the eddy, the 

 yellow hue ; 18 in. above ordinary level is the outside 

 limit which the initiated on Tweed give you as a bare 

 chance for a fish, and it is evident that, even if those 

 dark clouds do not fulfil their threats, this chance will 

 scarcely come to-morrow, or perchance next day. 

 Wherefore, once more, let patience have her perfect 

 work. 



